First away win lifts Sale to second place

Sale Sharks won their first away match of the season 25-32 against an injury-hit London Wasps in monsoon-like conditions yesterday, sending them up to second place in the Zurich Premiership. Sharks saw off Wasps largely thanks to winning the try count 4-1.

The consistent boot of fly-half Barry Everitt handed London Irish a crucial 27-7 victory over the champions, Leicester Tigers. The Irishman, who has now scored 1,018 points for the Reading side in 69 outings, kicked 17 points and snatched a last-gasp try to help to secure the win.

Saracens overcame Newcastle 17-13 despite losing Tim Horan with an injury after 13 minutes, sending Rob Andrew's side to the bottom of the table. Bristol beat Bath 30-19 to end one of the longest losing sequences in top-class rugby with their first victory at Bath since 1981. More importantly, it was four points to aid their climb away from the relegation spot.

Bristol have suffered so much humiliation at Bath that they were planning celebrations long into the night and their supporters were drowning out the home fans well before the final whistle.