Wade equals Ashton's Premiership try record as Newcastle beat Sale

Newcastle beat Sale 17-3 at home in the Premiership (Prem), England's top-flight rugby union league. Newcastle winger Wade scored a try to equal Ashton's record for the most tries in Prem history. The result leaves Harlequins as the only team yet to win a match in the league this season.

The first half was scrappy and narrow. In difficult, gusty conditions both sides kicked high early on. Wade went almost half an hour without touching the ball. The only points before the break came from England fly-half George Ford, who kicked a penalty for Sale.

Second-half turnaround

Both teams had passed up long shots at goal. After repeated Sale infringements, Newcastle's Brett Connon kicked to the corner rather than the posts from about 40 metres. That decision created the platform for pressure on the left, before the ball went through hands to the right, where Wade scored. Josh Hodge converted for a 7-3 lead, then added a penalty after another Sale offence to make it 10-3.

Just after the hour, a powerful rolling maul allowed McGuigan to ground the ball behind the line. Hodge kicked a low conversion under the wind, making it 17-3 with 12 minutes left.

Coach's reaction

Newcastle coach Dan McFarland told BBC Radio Newcastle he was pleased with the performance. He said the first half was tough and that his side failed to make the most of their chances in Sale's 22. He added that there was no turning point, that wins are hard to come by in the league, and that the team would not get ahead of itself. On Wade's record, he said the winger knows how to find the tryline and will get the one that takes him ahead.