Sale 6-10 Exeter: Chiefs grind out win at the AJ Bell Stadium

Lachie Turner scored Exeter Chiefs' only try of the night

Reigning Aviva Premiership champions Exeter Chiefs ground out a low-scoring victory on the road at the AJ Bell Stadium.

The result pushes them top of the table ahead of the rest of the Round 7 matches, before the domestic competition takes a two-week break for the Anglo-Welsh Cup.

Sale Sharks had not lost at the AJ Bell Stadium in any competition since March and pressed hard for the winning score late on but Rob Baxter's side held firm.

Exeter Chiefs have lost just twice in any tournament so far this season

Fresh from an exceptional victory over Montpellier in the Champions Cup, the defending Premiership champions began confidently.

The match started with over five minutes of uninterrupted play before both sides were able to gain their breath.

On a night when points were at a premium it took 31 minutes for the first to arrive. Steve Diamond's men were penalised for obstruction and Gareth Steenson kicked the resulting penalty.

With five minutes to play before the break Sale equalised as De Klerk punished the visitors for an indiscretion at the set-piece.

The loss was Sale Sharks' first at the AJ Bell Stadium in any competition since March

The scrum-half then missed a chance to take the Salford-based outfit ahead, before Henry Slade did the same for Rob Baxter's team.

Following the break, there was a noticeable shift in tempo from the reigning Premiership champions and Lachie Turner ensured that it counted on the scoreboard.

The winger spotted his opportunity and powered through Sale's defensive line for the only try of the night after 44 minutes.

De Klerk reduced the arrears with an impressive long-range three-pointer and the hosts looked to increase their own intensity in the final quarter of the match.

It was initially the Chiefs that had the upper hand in the latter stages before Sale produced one last surge.

In the final minutes, swift hands from Bryn Evans allowed Denny Solomona to get to within inches of the line before the pressure led to a yellow card for Exeter's Stu Townsend.

However, Baxter's men held firm and following referee Craig Maxwell-Keys' final whistle left the AJ Bell Stadium with a full four points to their name.