Sale Sharks 10 Leeds Carnegie 19: Battle to survive boosted as Leeds sink Sale

On the verge of being cast adrift after a string of willing but limited performances, the Yorkshire club were closing in on a third relegation in five seasons, one that had been predicted by the pundits and anticipated by their rivals.

Yet there is still plenty of shout left in the lungs of this obdurate outfit.

And so they proved last night, and in the nick of time as well with this marvellous victory. A defeat to Sale would have left them five points from safety, with the teams within reach reduced to just Worcester.

But heart and endeavour go a long way, and this win – a first against Sale after 17 previous attempts – blows the Premiership relegation race wide open with the gap to third-bottom Sale just four points.

Leeds's third win of the season was built on stout defence, an overdue dose of flair, and a superb performance from Ceiron Thomas.

The Welsh fly-half was unerringly accurate with the boot and also set up Leeds's only try for Scott Mathie.

But it was his try-saving tackle on 21-stone prop Eifion Roberts that set the tone, a marvellous scything challenge that cut the rampaging front row in two.

He had already kicked Leeds into the lead with a drop-goal after a fine multi-phase attack from the kick-off.

And then came his clattering tackle on Roberts that showed the hosts their previously inferior opponents were in no mood to make it 18 games without a win against their cross-Pennine rivals.

Their defensive effort against Leicester last week – which restricted the champions to just one try – was replicated, and the line was breached only once, when Halifax-born Charlie Hodgson set up Kristian Ormsby for a simple score.

Andy Gomarsall was making his 200th appearance in the Premiership, only the sixth man in the competition's history to reach such a landmark.

However, there was little cause for the former England scrum-half to celebrate such an achievement as he hobbled off after just 20 minutes clutching an injured right ankle.

Mathie came on and was immediately involved as Thomas kicked his second penalty.

The two men then created Leeds's first try in the Premiership since the win over Newcastle on December 27, three league games ago.

Thomas broke from his own half into the Sale 22 and three phases later, after moving the ball left and then right, Mathie patiently waited his chance before executing a superb pick and drive down the blindside and crashing over. Thomas slotted the conversion to give Leeds real belief.

Hodgson halved Leeds's advantage with a penalty following a high tackle from Henry Fa'afili on Marika Vakacegu.

Leeds's ability to shut down Hodgson – who was pivotal in the meeting at Headingley when he brought his side back from 14 points down to earn a win – proved crucial, as was the kicking of Thomas, who restored the six-point lead on 56 minutes after Mathie burst through.

Another penalty by Thomas five minutes later gave Leeds a crucial two-score advantage which they never surrendered.

An almighty defensive effort saw Hendre Fourie strip Sale of possession as they bore down on the try line, and as Sale built a head of steam in the final minutes they moved the ball quickly to the left and were about to cross when a collection of desperate white shirts blocked their path.

When they came again, Leeds forced a knock-on and sealed four vital points.

"This win was massively important for us," said director of rugby Andy Key.

"We have seen tonight a performance that was an 80-minute performance that warranted the win and full credit to the boys.

"This win can be a springboard for us, we don't fear anyone."

Sale Sharks: Vakacegu, James (Ripol 56), Bishop, L Thomas, Cohen, Hodgson, Peel; Kerr (Schwalger 64), Briggs (Halsall 64), Roberts, Jones, Schofield, Ormsby, Fearns, Koyamaibole (Seymour 48). Unused replacements: O'Donnell, Cox, Wigglesworth, Styles.

Leeds Carnegie: Hinton, Fa'afili, Rabeni, Barrow, Blackett, Thomas, Gomarsall (Mathie 21); MacDonald, Titterrell (Ma'asi 62), Gomez (Swainston 62), Lund, Wentzel, Clark (Myall 57), Fourie, Oakley (To'oala 57). Unused replacements: Hardy, Ford, Welding.

Referee: D Pearson.