Worcester 23 (17): Tries: Pieters, Vaili, Delport Cons: Brown Pens: Brown 2 Sale 10 (3) Tries: Roddam Cons: Hercus Pens: Hercus.

The Sharks, without 14 players due to internationals and injuries, were second best for most of the game.

In front of a sell-out crowd, Giscard Pieters, Siaosi Vaili and Thinus Delport went over for the Warriors.

James Brown added two penalties and a conversion while Sale hit back with a Johnny Roddam try plus a penalty and conversion from Mike Hercus.

Worcester made a perfect start when Pieters crashed over with just two minutes on the clock.

Brown missed a penalty attempt, but the home side increased their lead when blood replacement Vaili finished off another fine Worcester move.

With five games to go, it's put us in a good position Worcester boss John Brain

Brown extended the advantage with the conversion as second-placed Sale looked destined for a hiding.

Hercus reduced the deficit with a penalty but Springbok Delport gave Worcester a 17-3 half-time lead when he danced to the line on the right.

We deserved a bonus point Sale coach Philippe Saint-Andre

Brown extended the advantage with two penalties before Sale hit back late on with a driven try from hooker Roddam.

Hercus converted but it was too little too late for the Sharks.

Worcester: Delport, Pieters, Rasmussen, Lombard, O'Leary, Brown, Powell, Windo, van Niekerk, Horsman, Collier, Gillies, Hickey, Sanderson, MacLeod-Henderson.
Replacements: Trueman for Rasmussen (56), Hayes for O'Leary (74), Cole for Brown (79), Fortey for Windo (78), Daly for van Niekerk (54), Murphy for Collier (61), Vaili for Hickey (70).

Sale: Hanley, Wigglesworth, Rhys Jones, Payne, Mayor, Hercus, Redpath, Turner, Roddam, Stewart, Day, Schofield, Caillet, Carter, Chabal.
Replacements: Martens for Hanley (47), Bozzi for Turner (51), Coutts for Stewart (56), Lund for Day (19), Anglesea for Caillet (58). Not Used: Lloyd, Duffy.

Ref: Tony Spreadbury (Bristol).