Sale Sharks ended their search for their first win of the season and Wales captain Sam Warburton, who has recently been plagued by injuries, again failed to go the distance after going off after just six minutes of this 34-33 defeat at Salford City Stadium.
It was the Sharks' first win in any tournament this campaign and they did it the hard way by overturning a 24-12 half-time deficit when it looked like Warburton's pain from a dislocated finger was going to be eased as the Welsh international double act of Alex Cuthbert and Leigh Halfpenny got into full swing.
Wing Cuthbert did the damage with the ball in hand with a hat-trick of tries before the break with full back Halfpenny putting the boot into Sale with all three conversions and a nerve-settling early penalty goal.
For their part the Sharks relied on former Blues player Nick Macleod to keep their score ticking over with four penalty goals but then struck with the ball in hand after the break in sensational style to go on and claim the four points.
Danny Cipriani, out to make a fresh start with the Sharks was central to the comeback, scoring one and making one, with Mark Jennings also cracking the Blues defence.
And then with just minutes on the clock Sale stunned the Blues thanks to veteran prop Tony Buckley's close range try and the boot of Rob Miller.
