Northampton Saints ease into semi-finals

Northampton Saints have seen off Sale Sharks 28-14 at the AJ Bell Stadium to book their place in the Amlin Challenge Cup semi-finals.

The home side were in front after five minutes courtesy of Henry Thomas's try, with Nick Macleod adding the extras to give Sale a 7-0 lead.

Northampton soon turned the game on its head, however, crossing the line four times before half time to assert their dominance.

Ben Nutley added the first with 17 minutes on the clock, before Sam Dickinson and Ben Fodden extended the visitors' advantage.

Sharks' try scorer Thomas was shown a yellow card shortly before the interval, and Nutley made things worse for the Aviva Premiership's fifth-placed side by converting for a second time, leaving Will Hooley to kick through the sticks for the fourth occasion on the night.

Sale, who were looking to reach their first semi-final since 2008, managed to salvage some pride in the second half thanks to Villiami Fihaki who added his side's second try late on, with Joe Ford reducing the full-time deficit to 14-28.