Six penalties from the boot of Argentine fly-half Felipe Contepomi helped Bristol Shoguns record their first league victory over the Sharks since December 2000.

Bristol made numerous changes to the understrength team which embarrassingly lost 24-19 to Rotherham in the Powergen Cup last week.

To those fans who didn't spit their dummies out after the defeat by Rotherham, we thank them Bristol coach Peter Thorburn

England fly-half Charlie Hodgson was playing his first league game for the Sharks for three months, following a knee injury.

Centre Daryl Gibson and Contepomi both came close but then the Pumas' fly-half landed two penalties with just 12 minutes on the clock.

Hodgson pulled one back for the visitors after the Shoguns had gone over the top at a ruck in front of the posts 35 metres out.

But the conditions - heavy under foot and drizzling rain - made handling difficult for both sides.

The visitors made few ventures into the Shoguns' half during the opening 40 minutes and Bristol went into the break 6-3 in front.

The wet conditions didn't suit our style and probably benefited Bristol more than us Sale coach Jim Mallinder

Contepomi increased the Bristol lead with his third penalty, from out wide on the right, and a fourth, just to the left of the uprights.

But the Sharks clawed one back as Hodgson found the uprights from 30 metres out.

But after both teams missed chances for tries, Contepomi widened the gap between the two sides with his fifth penalty from out wide on the Shoguns left after the Sharks strayed offside.

This was quickly followed by his sixth from a similar distance just before the final whistle.

Bristol: Best, Daniel, Higgins, Gibson, Christophers, Contepomi, Pichot, Sheridan, Johnstone, White, Archer, A. Brown, Salter, Oakley, Beattie. Replacements: Crompton, Rowland, C. Morgan, S. Morgan, Richards, Carrington, Williams.

Sale: Robinson, Cueto, Harris, Bond, Hanley, Hodgson, Redpath, Yates, Marais, Stewart, C. Jones, Fullarton, A. Sanderson, Pinkerton, Anglesea. Replacements: Roddham, Thorp, Turner, Davies, Wilks, Going, Walshe.

Referee: Roy Maybank (RFU)