Lions omission steers Sale past Bristol in second-half sprint

Sale secured a thrilling 41-27 bonus-point win over play-off rivals Bristol to leapfrog Pat Lam’s side into third spot with just one round of the Gallagher Premiership season remaining.

Alex Sanderson’s Sharks are formidable on home soil, and a dominant first-half display saw them go 20-5 ahead and lay the platform for victory.

Back-rower Dan du Preez scored the hosts’ first try and, although the Bears responded with a fine individual effort from Harry Randall, Sale scored again before the break through hooker Tadgh McElroy.

The second half turned into a try-fest as Bristol crossed twice late on to secure a losing bonus point, but this defeat was a big setback to their play-off hopes.

Sale, missing their injured Lions Luke Cowan-Dickie and Tom Curry, began brightly and led in the ninth minute when George Ford kicked a penalty to put them 3-0 up.

It was just reward for their bright start, and from there, the home side were largely dominant.

Ford, who was overlooked for inclusion in Andy Farrell’s Lions squad, has been in fine form in recent weeks and continued that rich vein against Bristol.

His neat pass sent winger Tom Roebuck charging the Bristol defence, but his progress was halted.

It was indicative of the opportunities on offer to Sale as Ford continued to run the show in the middle of the park.

His team scored their first try in the 23rd minute when Rob du Preez and captain Ben Curry combined to find Dan du Preez down the right flank.

The South African back-rower was not to be denied as he crossed the line to score, and Ford added the conversion.

Territory

19%

19%

23%

40%

63%

Territory

38%

Bristol soon hit back when Randall collected possession deep inside Sale territory and showed impressive skill to outfox the home defence and scamper over.

But the initiative remained largely with Sale, and Ford added his second penalty as the half-hour mark approached.

Four minutes before the break, with the Sharks pushing hard for another try, McElroy had the strength to power his way over from close range, and Ford converted to make it 20-5 at the break.

But with Ellis Genge introduced at half-time, Bristol upped the tempo after the break, and Viliame Mata scored in the 48th minute after being driven over from close range.

In the 54th minute, Jonny Hill showed impressive strength to dive over from close range, and Ford converted again to put Sale 27-10 up.

Yet Bristol refused to lie down, and an acrobatic finish from Siva Naulago in the right corner – converted by James Williams – cut Sale’s lead to 10 points.

Rekeiti Ma’asi-White and Raffi Quirke then went over for Sale’s fourth and fifth tries before Bristol scored late on through Harry Byrne and Kalaveti Ravouvou for a losing bonus point.