Trailfinders Women took all the points from the Salford Community Stadium with a 26-10 victory over Sale Sharks.

Kate Zackary’s brace, along with tries from Emma Swords and Rosie Inman, secured the victory away from home.

The five points mean Trailfinders move within one point of Harlequins, remaining seventh in the table heading into the Six Nations break.

Zackary gave the travellers the perfect start just a minute into the contest. The American picked the ball from the base of the ruck and completed a barnstorming run from 40m out to score a contender for the Allianz PWR’s Try of the Week.

Elie Green added the extras with a remarkable conversion from the left touchline, continuing her red-hot form this year.

Trailfinders stayed on top with a concoction of cross kicks and grubbers, pinning the Sharks in their 22.

From one such grubber, Sale dropkicked poorly from their try line, and Trailfinders put together some beautiful phases, allowing Inman to finish brilliantly in the right corner.

Trailfinders continued to create chances but failed to convert until Swords jumped on a loose Sale lineout, only 5m from their line, crashing over with ease.

As a result, Trailfinders went in at the break 19-0 in the ascendency, searching for the try-bonus in the second term.

The second half, however, did not start in such a free-flowing fashion as the first.

Both sides struggled with accuracy, and most of the rugby was played between the two 22s.

So much so that we had to wait until the 69th minute for the first score of the second half. Sale with their first of the contest, crossing from short range.

Then came Zackary’s second, pouncing on another loose Sharks lineout and stretching out to reach the whitewash.

A Sharks consolation score followed, leaving the final score 26-10 to Trailfinders, with a lot of smiles on faces as the away side started the long trip back from the North West.