MATCH winner Charlie Hodgson was at it again last Friday as Sale kicked off their season with a close-run win over Northampton Saints.

The increasingly tetchy affair saw four yellow cards, numerous fouls and an attempted beheading.

Hodgson recovered from Andy Blowers decapitation effort to kick a crucial drop goal deep in injury time.

The nail-biting climax left Saints cursing their luck.

An injury time try from Spanish winger Oriol Ripol levelled the score at 21-21 and the missing conversion seemed to herald an opening day draw for the New Zurich Premiership.

However, Hodgson stepped forward to keep up the Sharks tradition of doing things the hard way.

Saints took an early lead after two seconds with a Ben Cohen try and a Paul Grayson conversion but penalties from Hodgson and a Baxendell drop goal ensured Sharks kept pace with the visitors.

A fast and furious first half made way for a second half, which was spoiled by some poor refereeing and even poorer play from both sides.

Front row sin binning on both sides killed the game as a spectacle.

A penalty exchange between Hodgson and Grayson saw Sharks end the 80 minutes 21-16 in front.

Ripols try had the Heywood Road faithful holding their breath but Hodgson's deft 30 yarder made it look easy.

Northampton coach Wayne Smith had some less than saintly words for referee Steve Leyslon.

He said: "I don't often say this but the wrong team won today.

"If you are going to referee like that you'll have everyone in tu-tus."

Sharks coach Jim Mallinder said: "I can't remember a game last season where we won without scoring a try so we have some work to do.

"We knew Charlie would be singled out for special treatment and we hope he will be better protected in future".

Sharks - Robinson, Cueto, Baxendell, Deane (replaced by Harris 73), Hanley, Hodgson, Redpath, Titterrell (Harris 57), Stewart, Jones, Schofield (Lines 57), Sanderson, Pinkerton, Anglesea.

Attendance 5,313