Northampton Saints bounced back from defeat to beat Sale Sharks 24-17 at Franklin's Gardens this afternoon.

Opposite numbers Stephen Myler and Nick Macleod put three points on the board inside two minutes of each other to start the first half. However, the Saints fly-half then added three more penalties to his tally shortly prior to the break to retake the lead.

Macleod struck back after the interval to close the gap, but Myler once again responded in kind by kicking his fifth penalty of the game.

Mark Cueto scored the first try of the game after ten minutes of second-half action to keep the Sharks in the contest.

The home side continued to keep their opponents at bay as Myler took their total to 18 points, but Macleod's third penalty ensured that Sale stayed in touching distance.

However, the Northampton star made it 21 points before substitute Ryan Lamb kicked a late drop goal to secure the game. Nick Macleod's late penalty ultimately proved to be little more than a consolation.