Hodgson the hero as Sale go top

Charlie Hodgson kicked all Sale's points as they ended Wasps' unbeaten run.

Sale 18-10 Wasps

Guinness Premiership, Edgeley Park, Friday October 14

Charlie Hodgson kicked all Sale's points as they ended Wasps' unbeaten start to the season to move top of the Guinness Premiership.

The Sharks' fly-half was on target with six penalties to give his side a fourth victory from five outings and prove his ability with the boot ahead of England's forthcoming internationals.

Mark Van Gisbergen, who may well take over the kicking duties for Andy Robinson's side if he is selected for his debut this autumn, slotted over a penalty and a conversion, but it was not enough to save the visitors from slipping to their first defeat.

The power of the home side's pack proved the difference between the two teams in the end, although it was Wasps who started the brighter.

After a penalty to each side, the reigning champions took command of the contest as their backs created plenty of problems for Sale.

The Shark's inability to stop them led to several penalties and eventually referee Sean Davey decided he'd seen enough and sent Jason White to the sin-bin after another infringement at the breakdown.

However, losing a man seemed to bring Philippe Saint-Andre's troops alive, with Hodgson slotting over a pair of well-struck penalties in the space of two minutes while his side were down to 14 men.

The host's lead was pushed out to nine points just before the break with a fourth penalty of the opening half after Wasps' forward Simon Shaw had been shown the yellow card.

Sale continued to look lively after the interval as their forwards continued to dominate and it came as a surprise when Wasps scored the only try of the match against the run of play.

After scrum-half Matt Dawson had broken through the first line of defence, Josh Lewsey - playing in the unfamiliar position of centre - managed to create space with a neat dummy and then had the speed to round full back Daniel Larrechea to score.

Van Gisbergen added the conversion to cut Sale's lead to just two points, but Wasps were unable to get territorial advantage to score again as Sale's pack continuously kept them on the back foot.

Hodgson's fifth penalty on the hour mark pushed the Sharks five points clear and the win was sealed 10 minutes later when the number 10 slotted over again after Wasps' pack had caved in under further pressure.

Sale: (12) 18
Pens: Hodgson 6

Wasps: (3) 10
Tries: Lewsey
Cons: Van Gisbergen
Pens: Van Gisbergen