Sale salvage late draw

A late Chris Bell try saw Sale salvage an 18-18 draw against Northampton.

A late converted Chris Bell try saw Sale salvage an 18-18 draw against bottom side Northampton at Franklins Gardens.

The Saints have slid down to the foot of the table with Worcester's recent resurgent form, and they were denied a vital victory when Bell's 73rd-minute try helped The Sharks to a draw.

Sale themselves have been in freefall with five consecutive defeats before Saturday's clash at Northampton and they will be grateful with the draw to at least arrest that slump.

After Stephen Myler's early penalty for Saints, Oriol Ripol put Sale ahead when he went over for the first try of the match on 11 minutes.

Former All Black Carlos Spencer then scored a first try for Saints on the 20-minute mark, and Myler's conversion saw them move 10-5 ahead.

Daniel Larrechea kicked a penalty soon after but a second Saints try from England wing Ben Cohen saw the hosts head in at the break 15-8 in front.

Lee Thomas and Myler traded penalties in the second half, but it looked like being a sixth straight defeat for last year's Premiership champions when prop Andrew Sheridan was sin-binned with them trailing 18-11.

Sebastien Chabal, dropped by France for their final RBS Six Nations clash, proved to be the hero for The Sharks though as he created the crucial try-scoring opportunity seven minutes from time.

Chabal kicked over the Northampton defence and the big man showed great handling to gather the ball and supply centre Bell to go through and score.

Thomas was left with a simple conversion to claim a crucial draw for Sale as their recent slump has seen fears grow about their own Premiership status.

Northampton remain at the foot of the table but at least have a game in hand to climb above fellow strugglers Worcester.