In a contest played out in dreadful conditions, it was the home side who took an early lead as hooker Nathan Langdon finished a powerful maul, Joe Green slotting a fine conversion from the left-hand touchline.
Rams replied swiftly, however, a carbon-copy effort from close-range finished by No. 8 Willo Bicknell.
In an error-strewn affair, it was the visitors who made more, and Sale took advantage as Evan Mintern powered over following a spell of concerted pressure on their opponents’ line.
Rams given hope before the break
Green added the extras for 14-5, but after Mike Cooke was off target with a penalty attempt, Rams gave themselves a major boost by earning a penalty try from another strong drive with the final play of the opening half.
Fergus Mulchrone was also sent to the sin-bin to give the away side a numerical advantage, but the first 10 minutes of the second period proved key.
A combination of ill-discipline and handling errors allowed Sale to camp in their rivals half – indeed much of it in their 22 – and eventually a half-break down the left allowed Toby Wilson to gallop home from some 30 metres out.
The conversion made it 21-12, and with the rain becoming apocalyptic, the hosts began to get further on top both territorially and in possession.
Hosts pull clear before late consolation
With their error count climbing as Rams chased the game, it was Sale who landed the decisive blow with another rumbling set-piece, replacement Alfie Longstaff this time the man to get the ball down as the hosts wrapped up the bonus-point.
Green arrowed another kick between the uprights, a 40-metre penalty for a breakdown infringement leaving his side 31-12 up with 10 minutes remaining.
Rams continued to battle bravely, but almost suffered a sucker-punch as a charged down kick in midfield was fly-hack forward, Max Hayman doing sensationally to get back and ground the ball before Sean Street.
And while it was merely a consolation, it was the away side who scored the final points in a fifth consecutive reverse at Heywood Road, Morgan MacRae spotting a gap from close-range to grab his third try of the campaign.
Rams will look to get back to winning ways at home to Tonbridge Juddians next Saturday (3pm).
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