The OEs flanker was at the heart of a superb back row display alongside the outstanding George Messum, Truman Sullivan and later on, replacement Harry Ledger which helped nullify the threat of the powerful Sale ball carriers.

“That match was mentally and physically exhausting,” he said. “Making tackle after tackle after tackle against those big Sale runners takes its toll on your body and you are just left battered and in pieces.

“It felt like we didn’t have an awful lot of the ball and it felt like we were defending endlessly in the second half. Yet it didn’t feel like at any point they were going to break us down. Massive credit has got to go to our outside backs who did so well to stop their 12 and 13 in midfield who were there go-to ball carriers and danger men. They did so well to contain them.

“But I’m so proud of the whole team. The pride we have got in each other and the effort we have put in this season, it cannot be described. To come away from home, in front of a big crowd against a big, physical side and throw everything you’ve got at it, and win, is just phenomenal.”

Barton also reserved special praise for fly-half Tom White, who kicked 14 points including the late drop goal at a crucial stage of the match that gave his side some much needed breathing space.

“Tom was just incredible,” Barton said, “but I’ve said it time and again to a lot of people: you will struggle to find a player at this level of the game, or indeed higher, who strikes the ball as cleanly and as well and as consistently as he does - or who reads a game as well as he does. He was absolutely outstanding today. But the whole team were very special.”