The match was only given the go-ahead after a pitch inspection 30 minutes before kick-off and it was Sale and Hodgson in particular who adapted far better.

The England fly-half bossed proceedings for Sale, landing 17 points with the boot and creating a first-half try for Spain wing Oriol Ripol with a typically sumptuous crossfield kick.

Hodgson has found himself behind Danny Cipriani and Jonny Wikinson in the international pecking order but he continues to prove invaluable to his club and this success keeps the Sharks in contention for a play-off berth.

Bath head coach Steve Meehan - whose side's only points came from penalties either side of the break - said: ''I thought the difference was Hodgson.

''He kicked remarkably well all things considered.

''But we are disappointed that we didn't take any thing from the game because I felt we deserved to.''

Eyebrows were raised that the game even went ahead at all given the state of the sodden pitch.

Indeed, large patches were completely saturated from early evening and rain continued to pour down from the first whistle.

Meehan - who lost Shaun Berne after the fly-half had three teeth knocked out by a stray elbow and skipper Steve Borthwick to an ankle injury - added: ''I didn't have any problem with the game going ahead.

''But Shaun lost three teeth and I hope it has been caught on film.''

Sale director of rugby Philippe Saint-Andre enthused about Hodgson's performance, saying: ''I thought Charlie, tactically, played very well and very clever.

''We have played the leaders and beaten them and are now just five points behind them.

''But we need to win four out of our last five games to secure a play-off spot.

''The pitch was terrible but it has been like that for the last three months.''

Kingsley Jones - Sale's head coach - pointed an accusing finger at England coach Brian Ashton for continuing to overlook Hodgson for the fly-half berth in the national side.

Jones said: ''Charlie is an every player in every aspect of his game.

''I think it's a personal opinion isn't it but they are playing Danny Cipriani at No 10 after deciding that Charlie has had his chance.

''But we are happy when England don't pick him as we can keep him here.''