Sale subdue Worcester

Sale survived a second-half wobble to beat Worcester 25-13 at Sixways.

Defending Guinness Premiership champions Sale Sharks survived a second-half wobble to beat Worcester Warriors 25-13 at Sixways.

The Sharks led 15-3 at the interval courtesy of tries from centre Chris Bell and flanker Jason White before the hosts got back within two points during a storming second-half display.

Fly-half Shane Drahm booted eight points to complement Asea Havili's 47th-minute try as the Warriors scented a shock win.

It was not until England wing Mark Cueto touched down five minutes from time that Sale finally made the result safe.

Sale produced some scintillating attacking play and were into their stride straight away as Cueto ran some intelligent angles in midfield.

Visiting fly-half Charlie Hodgson opened the scoring with a fourth-minute penalty and Sale then dominated the opening quarter.

In front of watching England head coach Andy Robinson, Hodgson created the opening try for Bell on 19 minutes with an intelligent kick ahead.

Drahm got Worcester on the scoreboard with a 24th minute penalty but the visitors' were in again three minutes later after prop Andrew Sheridan created the initial break to allow Juan Martin Fernandez-Lobbe to release White.

Hodgson added the conversion to take his side to the interval with a comfortable 15-3 lead.

It was a very different story after the break as winger Havili crossed in the in the corner and Drahm stroked the touchline conversion in expert fashion.

Sale lock Chris Jones was then sent to the sin bin for some cynical play that halted Worcester's attacking momentum - Drahm kicked the resulting penalty to reduce his side's deficit to two points with 27 minutes left.

But Sale re-grouped to weather the storm and then took control of proceedings. Hodgson's second penalty on 64 minutes gave them some breathing space before Cueto's late score finally secured the points.

The result leaves Sale with eight points from their opening three matches, while Worcester are still searching for a first win of the season.