80mins: Newcastle earn a turnover and when Tony Spreadbury blows for full-time, Falcons fans celebrate the title as well as Heineken Cup final place.

78mins: Sale winger Hanley fails to gather a chip ahead with only the try-line in front of him as Walder clears to the half-way line.

75mins: Sale 33-37 Newcastle
But such is the nature of the game, Newcastle comes close to wrapping up the title when Phil Dowson dives over with minutes remaining, after Hogson's clearance is charged down. Walder adds an easy two points.

73mins: Sale 33-30 Newcastle With the game delicately poised, referee Tony Spreadbury awards Hodgson a chance to give Sale the lead from 44 metres and the England international adds the vital points.

70mins: Sale 30-30 Newcastle
From the restart Newcastle break free with Charlton, Noon and Stephenson making good yardage. Sale scramble back but give away yet another penalty. Walder slots his second kick in as many minutes

68mins: Sale 30-27 Newcastle
Sale allow Newcastle a chance to get back within three points and Walder's kick is successful.

66mins: Sale make mince-meat of a Falcons scrum but the ball is knocked-on just outside the 22.

62mins: Sale bring an end to some impressive Falcons possession, earning a penalty and relieving the pressure.

59mins: Newcastle make yet another change with try-scorer Shaw replaced by Daryl Lilley. Falcons earn a crucial penalty 20-yards out but Walder's dismal kick goes long.

57mins Newcastle replacement number nine Hall Charlton brushes off two tackles to force Sale deep into their 22 with a bullocking run.

56mins: Sale 30-24 Newcastle
The lead changes hands for the fifth time when woeful defending allows Chris Mayor to drift through a number of flailing arms. Hodgson makes it six from six.

55mins: The action continues to run from one end of the field to the other but Jason Robinson fails to finish off a one-on-one against Shaw. Matt Thompson replaces hooker Nick Makin for the Falcons.

52mins: Sale 23-24 Newcastle
The see-saw nature of the game continues when Joe Shaw cuts a brilliant angle against a drifting Sale defence. Walder's conversion puts his side into the lead.

50mins: Newcastle come close to an immediate reply with Stephenson forced into touch metres out.

47mins: Sale 23-17 Newcastle
Hall Charlton replaces James Grindall at scrum-half for Newcastle as Hodgson slots a wonderful 50 metre kick at goal.

45mins: Sale 20-17 Newcastle
Mark Cueto replies for Sale with a blistering run through some ragged Newcastle defence and Hodgson swings the scoreboard in Sale's favour once again.

42mins: Sale 13-17 Newcastle
Seconds later, Falcons fans are on their feet again when Vyvyan leads by example by diving over from short range. Walder slots a superb touchline conversion.

41mins: Jamie Noon is stopped inches from the line, after Jos Baxendell misses his man.

40mins: Newcastle fly-half Walder kicks-off to start the second-half with both teams unchanged.

38mins: Stephenson makes another half-break in what has been an impressive opening half from the Falcons wing, but again Newcastle let themselves down with only metres to go as the whistle is blown.

36mins: Newcastle earn a line-out five yards out, but again the Falcons fail to convert pressure into points when the ball is knocked on.

31mins: Sale 13-10 Newcastle
Jason Robinson sends his side 50-yards upfield with a darting run. Sale are rewarded with a penalty from in front of the posts and Hodgson secures a three-point advantage with the break approaching.

28mins: Stephenson fails to let go off the ball on the floor and Hodgson spurns the kick to slot the ball deep into the corner. They are forced to regret the decision when they are penalised for crossing.

26mins: Nick Walshe's kick looks to have put Hanley through, but the bounce beats the on-rushing winger and the Falcons clear.

22mins: Sale 10-10 Newcastle
Sale are penalised for off-side as a fine tackle from Chris Jones on Vyvyan saves a certain five points. Walder slots the penalty to bring the match all square.

18mins: Falcons captain Hugh Vyvyan picks up a loose ball and offloads well to again push Sale back into their 22. The Falcons are rewarded when Jason White is penalised but Walder's kick goes wide.

13mins: Sale 10-7 Newcastle
A superb individual burst from Andy Titterrell brings Sale close. Seconds later Steve Hanley dives over and Hodgson's 35 metre kick sails through the posts.

11mins: Dave Walder put his restart into touch on the full to the delight of the Sale fans.

9mins: Sale 3-7 Newcastle
Sale reply almost immediately through the boot of Hodgson, who slots his side's opening points from in front of the posts.

7mins: Sale 0-7 Newcastle
Newcastle earn a line-out yards from the line, after Steve Hanley is penalised. Flanker Warren Britz powers through three tackles for the game's opening score and Walder slots the extras.

3mins: The Falcons start much the brighter with Sale pegged back in their own 22. But it comes to nothing when referee Tony Spreadbury blows up for crossing.

1min: Michael Stephenson comes close for Newcastle, after Jason Robinson throws a woeful pass with his first touch of the game.

Kick-off 1430: Sale have opted to start with fit-again fly-half Charlie Hodgson for Saturday's Powergen Cup final.

The England international has made just five appearances for his club this term, after undergoing knee surgery in January.

Hodgson's inclusion means impressive US international Mike Hercus will start on the bench.

Elsewhere, lock Chris Jones has been moved to the back row and will start at number eight.

Newcastle have opted to start with James Grindall at scrum-half, in place of Hall Charlton.

Injured fly-half Jonny Wilkinson will make an appearance for the Falcons - but only as a water carrier.

Newcastle: J. Shaw, May, Noon, Mayerhofler, Stephenson, Walder, Grindal, Peel, Makin, Ward, Archer, Grimes, Dunbar, Britz, Vyvyan.

Replacements: Hurter, Charlton, Hamilton, Thompson, Dowson, Lilley, Gollings.

Sale: Robinson, Cueto, Baxendell, Mayor, Hanley, Hodgson, Walshe, Sheridan, Titterell, Stewart, Fullarton, White, Anglesea, Sanderson, C. Jones.

Replacements: Cairns, Turner, Schofield, Perrett, Going, Hercus, Wigglesworth.