Champions Cup: Saracens beat Sale 28-15 to move top of Pool 1 in the European Champions Cup

Billy Vunipola was back to his rampaging best for Saracens

Saracens battled to a 28-15 Champions Cup win against Sale on Saturday but failed to get that all important bonus point.

Saracens battled to a 28-15 Champions Cup win against Sale on Saturday but failed to get that all important bonus point.

The win saw Sarries top Pool 1 in the European Champions Cup, but that missed bonus point means they are only keeping top spot warm for the winner of Sunday’s game between Clermont and Munster.

Saracens full-back Alex Goode crossed in the first half for the hosts but lock Nathan Hines responded with a score of his own as a stubborn Sharks side refused to roll over despite being already eliminated from European competition.

Owen Farrell kicked 13 points for Sarries and after Ben Ransom went over for their second try just before the hour mark there appeared plenty of time to chase what could have been a vital bonus point.

But it was only with five minutes remaining that Billy Vunipola crashed over for their third and Sale held off the late charge and even claimed a late score of their own through Eifion Lewis-Roberts.

Owen Farrell put the home side ahead 6-0 after Sale conceded penalties, but Saracens would have been further ahead if David Strettle had not spilt the ball with the line beckoning.

Sale responded positively and in the 22nd minute following sustained pressure, second-row Hines bundled over from close range, with Nick Macleod missing the conversion.

Pressure

Sarries' sustained pressure was eventually rewarded, however, when a neat move was finished off by Goode in the right corner to put the host's 11-5 up as Farrell was unsuccessful with the conversion.

The visitors rallied and earned a penalty on the stroke of half-time, which Macleod easily converted to leave it at 11-8 heading into the break.

Saracens restored their six-point advantage on 54 minutes when Farrell split the posts with his third penalty before Ransom, a first-half replacement for the injured Strettle, finished off a fine team move just before the hour.

Number eight Vunipola burst forward through the middle before finding Chris Wyles and his hand off set Ransom clear to put the home side 21-8 up, Farrell adding the extras.

Sale came back at Sarries and fashioned a great chance to score their second try but a wayward Michael Hayley pass forced Tom Brady into touch with the try line beckoning.

In the closing stages Sarries desperately chased a bonus point and Vunipola crashed over for their third try after a fine pass from Farrell but it was Sale who had the last laugh when Roberts crossed at the back of a rolling maul.