SALE Sharks made history on Saturday last by winning on French soil for the first time ever since their inception in 1861.

A 13-10 victory against Narbonne in the Parker Pen European Shield left the Sale team sitting proudly on top of their group with a mammoth 106 points scored from two games.

They also have a good chance of qualification for the knockout stages, provided that Irish province Connacht can be overcome later this month.

In conditions more akin to a wet evening on the Lancashire coast rather than the Mediterranean, the Sharks had to dig deep during the second half of the match to hold a huge Narbonne pack who had obviously done their homework by watching the video of the Gloucester game.

Leading 10-3 at half time by a converted Charlie Hodgon try and penalty, the Sharks proved what an improved defensive team they now are by repelling a series of sustained forward drives by the French.

With a ball like the proverbial 'bar of soap' the game was always going to hinge on missed or taken opportunities and in that department the Sharks came out on top.

Several good opportunities though went a begging in the first half when Charlie Hodgson, Mark Cueto and Peter Angelsea each made excellent breaks only for the ball to be spilled at the last moment.

The red carding of Narbonne centre David Couay for a blatant head butt on young Cueto did the Sharks cause no harm at all.

The few supporters who made the long trip suffered a nail biting last 10 minutes before Hodgson slotted his second penalty to extend the lead to 10 points with only minutes remaining.

Narbonne however were not finished, a try in the dying seconds hauled them back to within 3 points, but again some heroic defending and excellent kicking from hand by Charlie Hodgson saved the day.

Coach Jim Mallinder said after the game, "We expected a hard game up front and the weather conditions prevented us from playing our usual expansive game.

"I'm proud of the boys tonight, they learned a lot from the defeat by Gloucester and showed grit and determination".

Sharks: Going, Davidson, Baxendell, Deane(Harris), Hodgson, Redpath, Angelsea, Pinkerton, Perelini(Wilkes), Fullarton, Giacheri(Lines), Turner(Black), Titterell(Jackman), Yates.