Newcastle (6) 9
Pens: Clegg 2 Drop: Clegg

Sale (11) 14
Try: Hodgson Pens: Hodgson, McAlister 2

Luke McAlister tries to break through the Newcastle line

Sale finally found the secret to winning at Newcastle as they opened their Premiership campaign with a 14-9 success at Kingston Park.

A Charlie Hodgson try and three Luke McAlister penalties proved good enough against a Falcons side which failed to create a single touchdown in response.

The Falcons' points all came from the boot of fly-half prospect Rory Clegg.

And their disappointing day was compounded when flanker Geoff Parling suffered a suspected broken cheekbone.

After failing to win in 15 previous visits to Newcastle, Sale got their tactics absolutely right on a sodden pitch which had to pass a pre-match inspection.

And they were given an early bonus as Hodgson received the ball on the 22 and outpaced two Falcons backs before using Sebastian Chabal on the left wing as a decoy to help create the space for his try.

The England international failed to add the conversion and Sale thereafter switched the kicking duties to McAlister, with the New Zealander duly stretching the lead with a penalty two minutes later.

Ther 18-year-old Clegg, deputising for Jonny Wilkinson, opened the home side's account with a penalty in front of the home fans after Sale strayed offside in defence and he quickly added another via an upright.

Mathew Tait, making his Sale debut against his former club, was jeered by the Newcastle crowd but almost had the last laugh with a 30-yard dash which was halted just short of the line by Tom May.

McAlister extended Sale's lead with another penalty before the break and his third kick 10 minutes after the re-start opened a gap which ultimately proved decisive.

Even the second half sin-binning of Luke Abraham failed to provide the spark lacking in Newcastle's attacking play and a drop goal from Clegg was little consolation as they slumped to defeat.

Sale director of rugby Philippe Saint-Andre:
"Because we were in front we played field position a lot, but our defence was very good and well organised.

"It is a good feeling to win here because we know it is always tough to come here and win, and it is a very pleasing start to the season.

"When it was 15 against 14 we did not panic, our scrum was very strong with [Sebastien] Bruno missing and [Andrew] Sheridan missing, so this is very good."

Newcastle boss Steve Bates:
"I'm disappointed we didn't win because I think we were the better team.

"[Rory] Clegg was outstanding for a young kid playing his first game at that level against a back-line full of internationals - I thought he did exceptionally well."

Newcastle: A Tait; May, Noon, Davey, Rudd; Clegg, Grindal; McDonnell, Long, Hayman, Sorenson, Buist, Balding, B Wilson, Dowson.

Replacements: Visser for Davey (61), Jones for Clegg (73), Ward for McDonnell (56), Parling for Buist (61), Swinson for Balding (53).

Not Used: Thompson, Charlton.

Sale: M Tait; Cueto, McAlister, Thomas, Doherty; Hodgson, Peel; Faure, Briggs, Roberts, C Jones, Schofield, Abraham, J Fernandez Lobbe, Chabal.

Replacements: Wigglesworth for Peel (61), M Jones for Briggs (78), Cockbain for Schofield (56), Cox for Chabal (67).

Not Used: Halsall, Bell, Ripol.

Sin Bin: Abraham (65).

Att: 5,224

Ref: Martin Fox (Leicester).