Sale Sharks lifted the European Challenge Cup at Oxford's Kassam Stadium on Saturday without ever getting out of third gear.

Marshalled with increasing authority by man-of-the-match Charlie Hodgson, they ensured their French opponents never posed a concerted threat.

Lions hopeful Hodgson led the way with two well-taken tries as well as creating one for Mark Cueto in a 17-point personal haul.

But frequent handling errors from both sides in the slippery conditions meant this final was never going to be a classic.

Victory capped what has arguably been Sale's best season following their third-place Premiership finish and they showed in places just how dangerous a side they have become.

Sale dominated possession and territory throughout and should have scored more than two tries before the break.

Pau began sluggishly and were punished as early as the fourth minute by Hodgson's opening penalty.

The fly half should have made it 6-0 with a penalty on 15 minutes, but made amends on 25 after a kicking error from his opposite number Lionel Beauxis.

Hodgson charged down his attempted clearance and then showed his finishing prowess from 15 yards when the ball was fed to the left wing. The conversion made it 10-0 and Sale looked as if they might cut loose.

Some indiscipline from hooker Sebastien Bruno gave Beauxis an easy three points just after the half hour, but they never came close to adding to their tally.

On 37 minutes, Sale produced the try of the game as the ball was spun wide to Cueto.

He was held up just short, but his England and Lions colleague Andy Titterrell, playing at flanker, was on hand to finish the task in the right corner.

Hodgson's conversion made it 17-3 at the break and Pau rang the changes soon into the second period.

Former Gloucester fly half Ludovic Mercier came off the bench and his accurate kicking forced Sale back for a time.

Hodgson broke through the Pau line on 56 minutes and fed Cueto for his 28th try of a remarkable season with club and country.

Cueto was not needed 13 minutes later as Hodgson finished his own darting run to give Sir Clive Woodward plenty of food for thought.

The Lions' coach would, however, have been less impressed with his kicking as the conversion went wide again.

Hodgson was replaced late on to great applause as was former Scotland scrum half Bryan Redpath, who retired after the game.

The action petered out as Pau seemed reluctant to press for a consolation try, and the jubilant Sale fans could start the party early.

Sale: J Robinson (capt), M Cueto, J Baxendell (C Rhys Jones 74), R Todd, B Foden, C Hodgson (M Hercus 74), Bn Redpath (S Martens 71), A Sheridan (S Turner 61), S Bruno, S Turner (B Stewart 40), D Schofield (C Day 74), I Fernandez Lobbe, C Jones (P Caillet 74), A Titterrell (P Anglesea 72), S Chabal.

Pau: J-M Souverbie, M Dourthe (J-B Peyras70), J-C Cistacq, Jn-E Cassin, N Martin(L Mercier 47), Ll Beauxis, C Laussucq, D Laperne, R Terrain (Marius Tincu 45), D Boiroux (O Sourgens 46), P Albacete, G Morgan, P Som (capt, N Martin, 80), P Tobacco (Vincent Forgues 56), A Manta (P Furet 72).

Referee: A Lewis (Ireland).