Wasps came from behind to seal their third Gallagher Premiership triumph of the campaign after impressively overcoming Sale Sharks 31-13 at the AJ Bell Stadium.
The Sharks were the better side in the opening quarter, going 10-3 ahead via Jono Ross' try and five points from the boot of Alan MacGinty – but the Midlanders soon displayed their quality.
Nizaam Carr crossed the whitewash before Josh Bassett followed him over the line, while Lima Sopoaga converted both after kicking an earlier penalty, as last season's domestic semi-finalists went 17-10 in front at the break.
MacGinty reduced the deficit from the tee but William Stuart's effort moved the visitors clear and Nathan Hughes complete the win late on.
Steve Diamond's men have often struggled to find their rhythm at the beginning of campaigns and they have started 2018/19 in similar fashion after three defeats in four games.
They opened the contest superbly, however, and almost scored when Ben Curry scampered through the visiting rearguard. Although the move was halted, it was done so illegally by Nathan Hughes and just a minute into the encounter the number eight was sin-binned.
Sale went to the corner from the resulting infringement and it paid off as Ross charged across the whitewash from close range.
Back came the Coventry outfit and Sopoaga rewarded their pressure with a penalty – but the away side's defence was once again showing signs of splintering.
It has been their Achilles heel for several years and they almost conceded again as the hosts surged towards the line. Once more, Dai Young's side infringed under pressure but this time the home team opted for the posts and MacGinty restored their seven-point buffer.
The Sharks continued to create chances, with Marland Yarde, Bryn Evans and Mark Jennings all going through the first-up rearguard – but they were profligate in possession.
Diamond's outfit were made to pay as Wasps produced a typically scintillating attack as Michael Le Bourgeois, Willie le Roux and Dan Robson combined to send Carr over.
That score swung the momentum and, although Elliot Daly missed a long-range three-pointer, they exposed the right side of Sale's defence and Le Bourgeois found Bassett, who touched down.
Similar to the first half, the Greater Manchester outfit started the second period well and reduced the arrears via MacGinty's three-pointer before Wasps clicked into gear for the third time.
Le Roux broke down the right, linked with Bassett, but was tackled without the ball, which led to a yellow card for the transgressor Ben Curry. The pass to the full-back was deemed forward, which meant a penalty try was not awarded – but it did not matter when Stuart powered over in the next attack.
Sam James almost responded for the Sharks when the bounce of the ball favoured the away side, while Denny Solomona knocked on with the line beckoning – and that ended the hosts' chances.
Wasps went in search of the bonus-point and Hughes claimed it with just under two minutes remaining to complete a fine win.
ga('create', 'UA-72310761-1', 'auto', {'name': 'pacontentapi'});
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'referrer', location.origin);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension1', 'By Press Association Sport staff');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension2', '255e144f-ddcf-4cf5-a6fd-609e487294c4');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension3', 'paservice:sport,paservice:sport:uk');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension6', 'story');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension7', 'composite');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension8', null);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension9', 'sport:rugby-union');
ga('pacontentapi.send', 'pageview', { 'location': location.href, 'page': (location.pathname + location.search + location.hash), 'title': 'Wasps hit back to sink Sale'});
