The lead had swapped hands throughout the match as two attack-minded sides broke through with ease but ultimately Newcastle held their nerve in a game which served up a record points aggregate for English rugbys knockout cup final.

Warren Britz, Hugh Vyvyan - acting as skipper in place of the injured Jonny Wilkinson - and Joe Shaw also crossed for the Falcons while Steve Hanley, Mark Cueto and Chris Mayor touched down for Sale - although more than one of the tries was a result of sloppy defending.

The attacking play was well matched by the two kickers - Sales Charlie Hodgson and Newcastles Dave Walder - who between them missed just a single shot at goal in 15 attempts.

Newcastle just about deserved to shade a nail-biting clash which lived up to its pre-match billing of being a potential thriller, repeating their cup triumph of 2001 when they defeated Harlequins.

Stand-in captain Vyvyan, who is leaving Kingston Park for Saracens at the end of the season, revealed it had been an emotionally-charged afternoon.

Winning today is a dream come true and it all seems a bit bizarre at the moment, he said.

Im leaving a club with which Ive just enjoyed the best rugby experience of my life, so it was very emotional lifting the cup.

Ive loved my time at Newcastle and I love the squad. Ive made some very good friends so the best way to go out was to lift the Cup for the club.