Charlie Hodgson became the highest points scorer in Premiership history but a late try by Brent Wilson gave in-form Newcastle a 32-25 win over Sale in an absorbing match at Edgeley Park this afternoon.
Hodgson kicked 20 points on the day as he surpassed Jonny Wilkinson's record haul of 1489 to move to 1492 points. The 28-year-old, who made his debut for the Sharks against Auch in 2000, reached his landmark in the 65th minute with a penalty to draw Sharks level. But Newcastle scored in the 78th minute to earn a bonus point win, their fifth victory in a row.
Despite Sale establishing a commanding 13-point lead after eight minutes through a Neil Briggs try, Newcastle hit back with tries from Jon Golding, Danny Williams, Andrew Fenby and Brent Wilson to earn their third successive away victory.
Sale were full of attacking intent from the start and with a line-out deep in Newcastle territory, lock Dean Schofield drove to the line and from the resulting ruck, Dwayne Peel put Briggs over from close range to open the scoring after six minutes. Hodgson kicked the conversion and added two further penalties to hand Sale a commanding 13-0 lead.
Falcons' fly-half Tom May kept the Falcons' scoreboard ticking over with two penalties before Newcastle made the breakthrough after 29 minutes. Prop Golding finally found a gap in the Sharks' imperious defence to crash over but May sliced the conversion wide.
Newcastle caught Sale napping when two minutes after the restart the ball was shipped wide and Jamie Noon put Williams over in the far corner with May adding the conversion. Hodgson restored Sale's lead five minutes later with a penalty and May then sent a penalty wide but Newcastle were soon in control as the substitute Fenby scored on his debut after 52 minutes.
Alex Tait made a jinking run through the Sale defence which was only halted by a last-ditch tackle by Nick Macleod but the ball was worked out wide and Mark Sorenson shipped the ball to Fenby for an easy run in and May converted.
Hodgson added a further penalty and brought Sale to within three points when he kicked another penalty when the Newcastle lock Tim Swinson was sent to the sinbin
Wilkinson's points record was then broken in the 65th minute as Hodgson drew Sale level. But Newcastle spoiled the celebrations as they overturned the Sale scrum five metres out and Wilson crossed the line with May kicking the conversion to hand Newcastle victory.
