Saracens took a significant step towards securing a Guinness Premiership play-off place after an impressive 30-19 win at Sale Sharks this evening.

Brendan Venter’s side have added an incisive attacking dimension to their game in the last month and it paid off handsomely at Edgeley Park where another three tries took their tally to 13 in the last three games.

Chris Wyles scored a first-half try although the visitors were in trouble at 19-13 down early in the second half. But excellent tries from Alex Goode and Brad Barritt ensured Sarries took a priceless win which puts them in the driving seat for a top-four finish.

The Men in Black formed a new halfback pairing for the match with Derick Hougaard starting alongside Justin Marshall. Kameli Ratuvou returned to the bench, after missing the last two games with a hand injury, where he was joined by Glen Jackson and Derick Hougaard. Prop Rhys Gill suffered a pectoral muscle injury against Gloucester and his place went to Matias Aguero.

Sarries were awarded a penalty after three minutes and Hougaard had no difficulty firing the ball between the posts for the early lead. The visitors did not have to wait long for another penalty in their favour and Hougaard booted over the three points.

Sale responded with an ambitious penalty attempt from their own half but Lee Thomas’ effort drifted wide of the target.

Within seconds the Sharks had surged up the pitch and scored the opening try with their first attack of the match. England back Mathew Tait instigated the move and flanker Sisa Koyamaibole forced his way over the line. Charlie Hodgson’s conversion gave the hosts a 7-6 lead.

Sale conceded their third penalty midway through the half but Hougaard was unable to direct his kick between the posts.

Sarries got on the scoresheet after 22 minutes when Barritt floated a pass out to wing Wyles who evaded a challenge to race across the tryline. Hougaard added the conversion as the visitors took a six-point lead.

Sale brought themselves back to within three points with a firmly struck penalty by Hodgson. The visitors were forced into an early replacement after Hougaard took a blow to the head and made way for Jackson.

The Men in Black conceded another penalty after being caught offside and were punished as Hodgson’s kick levelled the game. The Sharks grabbed the lead shortly afterwards when Hodgson picked up the ball in space and sent over a drop goal.

Sale had the chance to extend their lead but another long-range penalty from Thomas was off-target. Sarries were conceding too many penalties but the hosts failed to take advantage with Hodgson firing wide with the last kick of the half.

The Sharks widened the gap with another penalty from Hodgson at the start of the second half. But Saracens were handed a penalty from the restart and England Saxon Goode was given the kicking duties. His effort smacked off the post to the delight of the home supporters.

Saracens regained the lead with their second try of the night ten minutes into the second half. A fine break from Andy Saull set up Ernst Joubert and the skipper offloaded to Goode for a pacy finish in the corner. Goode drilled over the conversion to give the visitors a 20-19 lead.

Sale gifted the visitors another three points conceding another penalty in front of the posts and Goode easily blasted the ball over. Sarries had an opportunity to consolidate their lead but full back Goode missed his penalty from the right touchline.

The Men in Black came within inches of extending their lead in the final ten minutes but Jackson’s drop goal attempt cannoned off the woodwork.

Saracens made the game safe late on with another superb break. Jacques Burger charged into the Sale 22 and his offload landed perfectly for Barritt to evade a home player and dive over the line. Goode’s conversion rounded off a convincing win for Sarries.

Sale Sharks: Vakacegu, Cueto, Tait, Thomas (Kennedy, 70), Cohen, Hodgson, Wigglesworth (Peel, 60); Roberts, Briggs (Kerr, 75), Forster, Jones, Schofield, Koyamaibole (Fearns, 69), Seymour, Ormsby

Saracens: Goode, Tagicakibau, Powell, Barritt, Wyles, Hougaard (Jackson, 25), Marshall (De Kock, 59); Aguero, Brits, Du Plessis, Vyvyan, Ryder (Botha, 50), Melck, Saull (Burger, 50), Joubert

Scoring: 0-3, 0-6, 5-6, 7-6, 7-11, 7-13, 10-13, 13-13, 16-13 HT 19-13, 19-18, 19-20, 19-23, 19-28, 19-30

Referee: Tim Wigglesworth

Attendance: 6,952