Kemeny scores a stunner as Saints deliver superb win against Sale Sharks

Australian flanker Kemeny beat five Sale Sharks players on his way to the line, securing the try bonus point in the process as he helped his side to claim a superb 47-21 win at a sold-out cinch Stadium at Franklin's Gardens on Saturday afternoon.

Saints had flown out of the blocks as they quickly moved into a 19-0 lead, with George Hendy at the heart of it.

But it was a true team effort overall, packed with moments of individual brilliance, as Saints ensured they would celebrate Christmas in style by picking up the full five points.

It was their second big win at the Gardens in the space of just six days, following on from the 50-5 victory against Vodacom Bulls, and it means they can go to Bath on December 27 in high spirits.

Saints knew they would face a fight against a Sale side who had won at Clermont Auvergne on the previous weekend, and the Sharks tried to apply some early pressure at the Gardens.

But Saints held them at arm's length before striking with a lovely move that resulted in Hendy releasing Henry Pollock, who turned on the turbos to beat the final defender and skate over the line.

Fin Smith easily converted and Saints added another try soon after as Hendy cut through Sale, beating a defender with ease before diving over the line.

Smith missed a conversion he would expect to make, but he made amends soon after, adding the extras after Saints produced a delightful move that saw Pollock superbly release Kemeny on the right wing before his offload released Toby Thame for the try.

Saints thought they'd scored again when Pollock kicked ahead and Edoardo Todaro flung the ball inside before it was grounded, but referee Christophe Ridley felt Pollock had knocked on in the build-up.

Saints were then hit with a harsh call just inside the Sale half as the away side were awarded a breakdown penalty despite seemingly having hands on the floor.

And Alex Sanderson's men made the most of the possession as they piled the pressure on the home line before Tom O'Flaherty, a player who always seems to score against Saints, produced an acrobatic finish on the right.

Rob du Preez converted well and the Sharks had some wind in their sails as they tried to turn the screw.

However, Saints refused to be on the back foot for long and after probing for some time in the Sale half, they eventually bagged the bonus point through one of the best tries you will see from a forward.

Kemeny picked the ball up close to halfway and showcased some dazzling footwork, beating five players on his way to the line.

Smith converted and the Gardens supporters watched the many replays with amazement as Kemeny's brilliance was soaked up.

Saints held a 26-7 lead at half-time and they were keen to keep their foot on the gas after the break.

Smith helped them do just that, engineering a brilliant break before finding the pass for Hendy, who dazzled with his footwork, leaving O'Flaherty grounded before diving over the line.

Smith converted but Saints were hit by a sucker punch on 54 minutes as Hendy tried a pass inside his own 22 and O'Flaherty did incredibly well to intercept before dotting down.

Du Preez added the extras and Sale had renewed hope as they soon won a penalty and tried to push forward again.

The Saints fans tried to rally their troops, knowing the game was still far from over with 25 minutes still to play.

Sale were buoyed again soon after as Thame was sin-binned for a head-on-head collision with Dan du Preez.

The Sharks scored quickly as Arron Reed was sent over on the left, and Rob du Preez's conversion cut the gap to just 12 points with more than 20 minutes to play.

Saints were in danger of seeing their breathing space dissipate, but they soon pieced together a magical move that was finished in forceful fashion by George Furbank, who refused to be stopped on the right.

Smith converted expertly from the touchline to make it 40-21, and Saints sent on Tommy Freeman in place of Fraser Dingwall, who had done some fine work in the build-up to the try.

Sale continued to push as they sought to get back in the game, but Saints defended really well, refusing to let the Sharks show any bite.

Danilo Fischetti was forced off for Saints before the end, but they kept powering on, and the excellent Tom Pearson pinned his ears back and flew through for a fine try.

Smith converted and there was still time for a tidy kick ahead from Callum Chick before Saints piled the pressure on to win a penalty.

One last surge towards the Sale line fell just short, but it mattered not as Saints celebrated another impressive home success.

Saints: 15 George Furbank (c); 14 George Hendy (Ollie Sleightholme 56), 13 Toby Thame, 12 Fraser Dingwall (Tommy Freeman 62), 11 Edoardo Todaro; 10 Fin Smith, 9 Alex Mitchell (Tom James 74); 1 Emmanuel Iyogun (Danilo Fischetti 52 (Manny Iyogun 77)), 2 Craig Wright (Robbie Smith 46), 3 Trevor Davison (Cleopas Kundiona 52); 4 Alex Coles, 5 JJ Van Der Mescht (Chunya Munga 68); 6 Josh Kemeny, 7 Tom Pearson, 8 Henry Pollock (Callum Chick 56).

Sale Sharks: 15 Arron Reed (Ollie Davies 68); 14 Tom O’Flaherty, 13 Joe Bedlow, 12 Marius Louw, 11 Alex Wills; 10 Rob du Preez, 9 Raffi Quirke (Gus Warr 52); 1 Si McIntyre (Tumy Onasanya 60), 2 Luke Cowan-Dickie (Nathan Jibulu 55), 3 WillGriff John (James Harper 40); 4 Tom Burrow (Dan du Preez 51), 5 Ben Bamber; 6 Jacques Vermeulen (Hyron Andrews), 7 Ernst van Rhyn (c), 8 Tom Curry (Tristan Woodman 62).

Referee: Christophe Ridley