Worcester Warriors.

8 HEEM – slotting in at full-back, the fit-again Kiwi constantly asked Sale’s defence questions as he used his pace and power to great effect. My man of the match.

7 Howe – capped off a strong showing with a try at the death to secure the bonus point as he continues to press his case for a regular starting shirt.

6 Stelling – returning from an ankle injury, the centre would have been pleased to get back on the pitch but it was his replacement Ollie Lawrence who stole the headlines.

6 Butler – had a lot on his shoulders as captain and stepped up to the task although his decision to repeatedly to go for line-outs did not pay off.

7 Hammond – failed to add to his try-scoring tally, but the in-form wing set up Dowsett’s early score and looked a threat when he got the ball.

7 Heathcote – finished with a 100 per cent success rate from the tee and wasn’t afraid to put his neck on the line in defence.

6 Dowsett – made a superb start as he got on the end of a slick move to cross the whitewash but his kicking went awry at times.

7 Schonert – a welcome return for the tighthead prop whose appearance boosted an in-experienced pack and was solid in the scrum.

5 Cutting – the young hooker’s debut was marred by a series of stray line-out throws which stopped his side from turning pressure into points.

6 Milasinovich – took his time to adapt to playing on the opposite side of the front row, but the prop eventually got to grips with it.

7 Scotland-Williamson – carried hard, putting Warriors on the front foot, and was a rock in defence, denying Redpath a try with a thumping tackle.

5 Barry – ran a dysfunctional line-out which proved decisive and did not make the same impact in the loose as his second-row partner.

6 Taylor – showed tenacity but was crucially penalised late on for a mistimed tackle as MacGinty kicked Sale into an unassailable lead.

6 Durutalo – looks like a decent acquisition for Warriors as the back rower did some good work at the breakdown and was a useful ball-carrier.

6 Dodd – making his senior debut, the ex-Scotland u20s ace fronted up well in a scrappy contest and will hope to get another opportunity next weekend.

Replacements: Kerrod 6 (Schonert 53), Hill 6 (Dodd 58), Kitchener 7 (Barry 58), Baldwin 6 (Dowsett 58), Lawrence 7 (Stelling 58), Hill 6 (Dodd 58), Olver 6 (Heathcote 63), Rigby (Milasinovich 67), Jeavons-Fellows (Cutting 67).

Sale Sharks: James, Reed, Addison (Wilkinson 40), Redpath, Charnley (Doherty 72); MacGinty, Cliff (Sturgess 74); Flynn (Pope 77), Neild (Dolly 74), John (Aulika 18), Nott, Postlethwaite, Ioane (Langdon 59), CURRY (Seymour 64), Moore.

Attendance: 6,081.

Referee: Greg MacDonald.

RUN OF PLAY

0-5: Ioane try, 6mins.

0-7: MacGinty converts, 7mins.

5-7: Dowsett try, 14mins.

7-7: Heathcote converts, 15mins.

7-12: Cliff try, 31mins.

7-14: MacGinty converts, 32mins.

7-19: Curry try, 40mins.

7-21: MacGinty converts, 40mins.

Half-time: Worcester Warriors 7-21 Sale Sharks.

12-21: Lawrence try, 62mins.

14-21: Heathcote converts, 63mins.

14-24: MacGinty penalty, 76mins.

19-24: Howe try, 80mins.

21-24: Olver converts, 80mins.

Full-time: Worcester Warriors 21-24 Sale Sharks.