A tremendous performance saw the hosts lead 7-0 at the break thanks to Honey’s conversion of Luke Graham’s try, the stand-off adding three more after the interval as Tomek Pozniak, Zach Clow, captain Max Hayman and Robbie Stapley – for his 100th first-team try – also crossed the whitewash.

Rams employed a kick-centric tactical game as they looked to pin the Dogs in their own half, Fraser and scrum-half Ed Hoadley repeatedly putting boot to ball as their side’s defensive capabilities also shone through.

Reflecting on beating the only other side to have taken maximum points from the opening two rounds of National One, Fraser began: “I’m super proud and it’s a hell of a result.

“At the start of the day I was so excited for the game – we had a point to prove.

“The gameplan was there – all the supporters would have seen what it was – and the discipline to stick with it was ultimately what got us over the line.

“We spoke about it in the week and the need to follow it, and there were a couple of times where we nearly strayed – it’s natural because they give you the space out wide by closing you down narrowly and early, and the temptation is there.”

Saturday’s success was the first time since December 2018 – a 53-0 victory in torrential rain at Birmingham & Solihull – that Rams have kept their opponents’ scoreless, while Fraser also admitted the needle in the contest, which featured a few off-the-ball scuffles, added to the afternoon.

He said: “We’ve started the season pretty well defensively and it goes hand-in-hand with our discipline across the board. It’s amazing to nil a side as good as Sale, very special.

“It was two awesome sides going at it and there have been some titanic battles in the last few years, this was another superb advert for National One .”