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A Tom Brady try ten minutes from time and a massive performance from the Sale Sharks forwards saw Sale move six points ahead of London Welsh.

Bath were making their first visit to the Salford City Stadium and were probably visiting on the coldest day of the season, The biting south westerly wind was vicious and the swirling snow storm added to the cocktail to make conditions for players and officials very challenging.

Sharks had regrouped after their LV Cup Final defeat and Bath were fresh after a weeks break. Sale had lost their previous two premiership games and Bath had only won once on the road all season, on the opening day at Worcester.

Sharks were soon on the attack recycling the ball quickly and making good yards towards the Bath line. Bath however withheld the Sale assault and started to build some momentum themselves.

Sale lost Dan Braid on 12 minutes with a blood injury to his face and he was temporarily replaced by Kearnan Myall.

The first points came on 20 minutes from the boot of Nick Macleod. Bath had a chance to level on 29 minutes through Heathcote but his kick sailed wide. Bath did level on 32 minutes through Heathcote but his joy was short lived as Macleod kicked a penalty at the other end a minute later. 6-3.

Peter Stringer, on loan from Munster was his usual busy self and found time to make himself known to the referee on several occasions, querying decisions.

Four minutes before the break Macleod put Sale 9-3 in front with his third successful kick.

The players left the field at the break having done their best in horrendous conditions.

Half Time Sale Sharks 9 Bath Rugby 3

The snow got worse after the break and good running rugby was going to be even more difficult for the players of both teams.

Heathcote missed a 50metre penalty attempt five minutes after the break but Bath took the lead for the first time in the game on 53 minutes when winger Agulla touched down after a powerful rolling maul by the Bath forwards. Heathcote converted 9-10.

Sharks used their powerful array of replacements in an effort to claw their way back and the Sale forwards were immense in overpowering Bath and stealing several of their lineouts.

Ten minutes from time Sale put together their best move of the game which ended with Tom Brady sliding in for a great try in the corner. Tom was a late addition to the matchday 23 after Richie Vernon pulled up in the warm up.

The Sale faithful fans in a crowd of 6541, sang their hearts out throughout the game and lifted their efforts to a new level after Brady's try.

Bath added a penalty through Heathcote on 76 minutes but Sharks not only held out but finished on the attack.

Final Score Sale Sharks 14 Bath Rugby 13

Team: Cameron Shepherd, Charlie Amesbury, Jonny Leota, Sam Tuitupou (off 63mins) , Mark Cueto, Nick Macleod, Dwayne Peel, Alasdair Dickinson (off 63mins), Marc Jones (off 58mins), Henry Thomas (off 63mins), James Gaskell, Andrei Ostrikov (off 62mins), Dan Braid (off 13-20mins), Dave Seymour, Andy Powell (off 58mins).
Replacements: Tommy Taylor (on for Jones 58mins), Ross Harrison (on for Dickinson 63mins), Tony Buckley (on for Thomas 63mins), Fraser McKenzie (on for Ostrikov 62mins), Kearnan Myall (on for Braid 13-20mins, on for Powell 58mins), Nathan Fowles, Danny Cipriani, Tom Brady (on for Tuitupou 63mins)
Scoring Sequence : 3-0, 3-3, 6-3, 9-3, 9-8, 9-10, 14-10, 14-13