Thirty players took to the field in Sale kit and, not content with wearing Sharks' second strip, Saracens decided to play not only like a second string but a poor one at that.

The muddle over shirts - Saracens brought a kit which clashed - suggested a training pitch run-out. That impression was underlined by the initial action as Sale ran straight through for three tries in the first 10 minutes - one for Dan Harris and two for the wing Steve Hanley. The All Black legend Wayne Shelford, recently installed in charge at Saracens, has said his side lack confidence and are easily deflected by any on-the-field knock. But this was more than a knock, this was a hammering.

A brief Saracens fightback saw Richard Haughton collect a try as the first quarter drew to a close but it proved only a temporary reprieve since Stuart Pinkerton barged over to secure Sale's bonus point.

Sale's head coach Jim Mallinder had said it was important to put last weekend's defeat against Bath behind them and get the season back on track. In less than half an hour his side had achieved that in emphatic style. In the second half Saracens scored two tries and a Tim Horan drop goal but this was nothing more than a damage-limitation exercise. Sale responded with Vaughan Going scoring again on his way to collecting the man of the match award.

Sale: Going; Cueto, Harris (Deane, 75), Bond, Hanley; Baxendell, Walshe; Yates (Thorp, 55), Marais, Turner (Stewart, 55), Jones (Fullarton, 55), Schofield, Davies, Pinkerton (capt), Anglesea.

Tries: Harris, Hanley 2, Pinkerton, Going. Cons: Walshe 3. Pens: Walshe 2.

Saracens: Winnan; Haughton, Sorrell (Johnston, ht), Horan, O'Mahony; Goode (Sorrell, 53), Bracken (capt); Flatman (Kershaw, 71), Cairns, Califano, Quinnell, Hooper (Benazzi, 62), Chesney, Roques, Russell (Peacey, 63).

Tries: Haughton, Johnston, Califano. Con: Goode. Pens: Goode 2. Drop: Horan.

Referee: A Rowden (Berkshire).

Attendance: 5,196.