RAMS slipped to a 35-12 defeat at an inspired Sale FC side as the second-placed hosts secured a deserved top-of-the-table victory at Heywood Road.

After a cagey opening 15 minutes, a flash of brilliance from James McRae saw him grab an interception on his own 10-metre line before showing just enough pace to dive over on the left.

Alex Seers landed an excellent touchline conversion to make it 7-0, but the visitors suffered a set-back as skipper Robbie Stapley was yellow carded for a high tackle in midfield.

Sale kicked to the corner, and while Rams repelled the maul well, some slick handling led by outstanding fly-half Tom Curtis ended with pacey wing Tom Walsh diving over on the left.

Curtis landed a fine conversion from out wide, and his side doubled their tally when more swift passing allowed Ben Bamber to cross on the right for another seven-pointer.

In a first-half of small margins, the visitors twice came close to levelling, Drew Humberstone just unable to cling onto a Seers off-load five metres out before only the bounce of the ball denied Jak Rossiter collecting an Ollie Cole kick ahead with the line at his mercy.

Trailing at the break, Rams came out strongly and dominated territory until a key 14-point swing.

With their maul held up over the line, Sale went down the other end and utilised their set-piece to perfection, Josh Brown crashing over before another good kick from Curtis made it 21-7.

The visitors continued to threaten, but the hosts’ magnificent defence kept them at bay and forced an interception which saw Nev Edwards run in from 70 metres out for the bonus-point score.

Curtis landed the easiest of his conversions for 28-7 before missing a long-range penalty, but Rams continued to show their heart and grabbed a deserved second try when Ellis Jones spun away to cross on the left with 15 minutes remaining.

However, a fatal blow was landed with a second interception for the hosts, James Robins this time picking off a pass to dot down.

Still Rams came forward, but it was somewhat fitting when the final play saw the brilliant Henry Bird – arguably the man-of-the-match from either side in defeat – make another searing break before his pass to Zach Clow ended with the wing bundled into touch.

Sale’s five-point league victory sees them close the gap at the top to a solitary point with a game to go, while Cambridge are five back with a game in hand following their 75-10 thumping of relegated Leeds Tykes.

Next up for Rams is the final home game of the season against old rivals Cinderford on Saturday, April 15.