Sale Sharks 29 Northampton Saints 43: Tom Vickers' review and player ratings

And what happened at the CorpAcq Stadium on Saturday night was a very good thing for everyone of a black, green and gold persuasion.

They had certainly been made to wait for it as Saints had not won at Sale in a league match since way back in March 2017.

Eight PREM defeats had come and gone since a Saints team that was on the way down after winning the title in 2014 upset the odds to claim a 32-12 success.

This time, a Saints team very much on the up, banished the demons that have built since then.

And they eventually did it in some style.

The composure and class they showed late in this game was perhaps what was the most memorable aspect of an encounter to savour.

Saints could have felt like their Sale curse would continue when they saw a lead ebb away three times during the second half.

But as this team has become known for doing, they just kept going and they just kept fighting.

And when they do that, they have the ability to beat any side, because their style marries so well with substance and mental fortitude.

Saints showed ambition and determination to ensure this would not be another one of those sour Sale evenings.

They brought star quality from the bench – the likes of Henry Pollock and George Furbank were ready and waiting - to boost the star quality that was already on the field.

And as the wind swirled around the exposed stadium, they used it to power them rather than push them back.

Saints scored three tries inside a sublime final 15 minutes to come back from a three-point deficit.

And how sweet it felt when Pollock raced away and swallow dived over the line to truly put the seal on a long-awaited triumph.

Pollock’s scriptwriters continue to deliver as they just keep presenting him with Kodak moments, for club and for country.

And how those Saints fans who were in attendance will cherish this memory.

Their voices rang around the rapidly-emptying stadium as black, green and gold flags flew in the wind.

‘Shoe Army’ and ‘Oh When the Saints’ echoed around Eccles as those who had travelled to witness this serenaded the men who made it happen.

Saints have showed that they can win pretty much anywhere in Europe, but the Sale box hadn’t been ticked for so long.

And now this team, this incredibly talented team, have been the ones to do it, showing just how little they are fazed by records and seemingly insurmountable objects.

They did the same at Bath in December, rotating heavily but producing a dominant display in which they pulled the PREM champions from pillar to post before eventually pulling them apart.

They finished so strongly at The Rec, and they did so again at the CorpAcq Stadium, displaying just how hard it is to live with the black, green and gold for the full 80 minutes.

Not only do they have belief, but they also have stamina by the bucketload.

They even demonstrated that in defeat at Bordeaux, picking up a crucial try bonus point with a late rally.

They moved into the round of 16 in the Champions Cup and they have moved back to the top of the Gallagher PREM ahead of a long pause from league action.

And how deserving they currently are of that Six Nations No.1 spot.

How they rated…

GEORGE HENDY – such a tough day to be a full-back as the wind swirled around the CorpAcq Stadium, making life under the high ball tough. Sale stopped this dangerous runner in his tracks before he could make his typical impact here… 7

TOMMY FREEMAN – bagged one try and almost had a second as the ball just slipped from his grasp with the line in sight. The wind made it tough under the high ball but he delivered some direct running late on and set up Pollock’s try… 8

RORY HUTCHINSON – his clay pigeon shooting celebration should be rated highly for its innovation and execution and his overall display was impressive here as he got stuck in for his side… 8

FRASER DINGWALL – made some hard carries into traffic and was solid throughout as he once again helped his team to take on a sizeable opponent… 7.5

EDOARDO TODARO – never shies away from these tough tests and he did superbly to keep the ball alive on a couple of occasions during the second half before claiming yet another try… 8

ANTHONY BELLEAU – showed his toughness once again as he displayed good physicality in attack and defence and ensured Saints kept composed in the middle of the park… 7.5

ALEX MITCHELL – a superb 80-minute showing from the scrum-half as he set up a couple of tries and played a key role in another, continually testing Sale and so often taking and executing the right option… 9

MANNY IYOGUN – yet another massive showing from the prop, who deserves his England call-up. He helped to take Sale on in the set piece and also got his hands on the ball when he got the chance… 8.5

ROBBIE SMITH – grabbed a timely try for his team and he helped Saints to keep their set piece steady while Sale’s rocked in the wind… 8.5

TREVOR DAVISON – big Trev just keeps producing big performances. He’s such a stable figure, providing a crucial platform for his team… 8.5

ALEX COLES – helped Saints to ruin the Sale lineout early on and he was a force of nature around the field again, showing his intelligence to make key contributions before etching his name on the scoresheet… 9

JJ VAN DER MESCHT – such a huge option for Saints as any time they lost a little forward momentum, they handed it to the big man, and he kept powering on… 8.5

JOSH KEMENY – just a relentless display, capped with a superb try. He was such a threat, cutting in from the wing time and again during the first half, and he overcame a blood injury to return to the field and pick up where he left off… 9

TOM PEARSON – gave away one avoidable penalty, but was very good aside from that, thundering into contact for his team as he showed his hunger… 8

CALLUM CHICK – CHRON STAR MAN – perhaps his best display in a Saints shirt so far, but there have been plenty to choose from. Seemed to be everywhere at times, breaking the Sale line and showcasing his ability to deliver tidy passes… 9

Replacements (who played more than 20 minutes)

CRAIG WRIGHT (for Smith 52) – always adds plenty of energy to proceedings, and this was the same again as he charged around looking to make an impact… 7

DANILO FISCHETTI (for Iyogun 52) – a great player for Saints to bring off the bench and he made some massive carries into Sale territory while also putting them under pressure at scrum time… 8

ELLIOT MILLAR MILLS (for Davison 52) – looked to have suffered an injury at one scrum, but got up and battled on for his team, playing his part in a huge win… 7

GEORGE FURBANK (for Hendy 56) – a huge asset to have on the bench, and he showed his quality by setting up a try for Edoardo Todaro as well as taking over at 10 after Belleau was forced off for a head injury assessment… 8