Sale Sharks despatched a message to their Gallagher Premiership Rugby rivals by recording a shock bonus level 0-38 victory at Bristol Bears.
The Bears had hoped to high the Premiership with a victory in entrance of a giant house crowd at Ashton Gate.
Nonetheless, they got here up towards a formidable Sharks facet who had been buoyed by back-to-back league wins.
On his second begin of the season, Raffi Quirke set the tone by fooling the house defence with a dummy to open the try-scoring inside three minutes.
George Ford then despatched a beautiful cross out vast for winger Tom Roebuck who scored Sale’s second strive as they dominated the primary half.
After the break, Ben Curry intercepted a cross contained in the Bristol 22-metre zone and set the tone for the second half with a 3rd strive.
Bristol had been determined to provide the house followers one thing to cheer, however Tom O’Flaherty hit them on the break as he and Quirke broke and the previous raced over.
Sale’s kind will probably be examined subsequent Saturday after they head to Kingsholm to face Gloucester (3pm). In the meantime, Bristol must choose themselves up and re-find their successful kind at Saracens the identical day (5.30pm).
Speaking level – Sale show cussed defence towards Bears
Coming into the match Tub had been filled with confidence and tries, having picked up strive bonus factors in every of their final eight Gallagher Premiership matches.
Nonetheless, they got here up towards a Sale facet organised by their new defence coach Byron McGuigan.
The Bears had scored 44 tries in eight matches however did not discover a approach throughout the whitewash regardless of a number of efforts contained in the Sale 22-metre zone.
Sale’s defence slowed any Bristol assault and had been properly disciplined to maintain their hosts at arm’s size.
Conserving Bristol out meant as a lot to the Sale gamers as taking the win and so they celebrated each at full-time.
Participant of the Match – Ben Curry (Sale Sharks)
The open-side flanker was in impressed kind in assault and defence as Sale dominated Bristol at Ashton Gate.
The 26-year-old was the highest tackler and made essentially the most carries as he steered the Sharks to a standout victory.
Curry’s sharpness to intercept a Bristol cross inside their very own 22-metre line resulted in a easy strive for the flanker at a key level of the match, early within the second half.
Not content material along with his attacking exploits, on the reverse finish Curry out-ran winger Jack Bates to disclaim him a sure strive.
Participant scores
Bristol Bears: Lane 6, Bates 6, Ravouvou 6, Van Rensburg 6, Ibitoye 6, Worsley 6, Randall 5, Woolmore 5, Thacker 6, Lahiff 6, Dun 5, Owen 5, Luatua 6, Harding 5, Mata 6
Replacements: Oghre 6, Thomas 6, Kloska 6, Hodgson 6, Grondona 6, Marmion 6, Williams 6, Elizalde 6.
Sale Sharks: Carpenter 7, Roebuck 7, Du Preez 7, James 7, O’Flaherty 7, Ford 8, Quirke 8, Rodd 7, Cowan-Dickie 7, Opoku-Fordjour 7, Van Rhyn 7, Hill 8, T.Curry 7, B.Curry 9, Du Preez 8.
Replacements: Caine 6, McIntyre 6, Griff John 6, Beaumont 7, Du Preez 6, Warr 7, Bedlow 6, Dugdale 6.
Match highlights
3’ –TRY! BRISTOL BEARS 0 SALE SHARKS 7 (QUIRKE): The ball comes out the again of a maul following a line-out and a intelligent transfer by Quirke dummied the defence and raced over the whitewash. The conversion can also be one from Du Preez.
7’ – PENALTY! BRISTOL BEARS 0 SALE SHARKS 10: Sale elect to kick for a penalty in entrance of the posts and Du Preez will increase their benefit.
24’ –TRY! BRISTOL BEARS 0 SALE SHARKS 17 (ROEBUCK): Sale are on the cost and the ball comes out of a ruck earlier than a beautiful lengthy cross from Ford releases Roebuck to cross within the nook. Du Preez provides the additional along with his boot.
38’ –DROP GOAL! BRISTOL BEARS 0 SALE SHARKS 20 (FORD): After some persistent strain from the Sharks the ball comes out to Ford whose kick from distance is ideal.
41’ –PENALTY! BRISTOL BEARS 0 SALE SHARKS 23 (DU PREEZ): Tom Curry wins a penalty on the ground after making a improbable problem contained in the Bristol 22-metre zone. The referee awards a penalty which Du Preez kicks.
48’ –BRISTOL BEARS 0 SALE SHARKS 30 (B CURRY): Bristol are caught inside their very own 22 with Harding attempting to cross alongside the road. Ben Curry is available to grab the ball after which dive throughout. Du Preez kicks the conversion underneath the posts.
60’ –PENALTY! BRISTOL BEARS 0 SALE SHARKS 33 (DU PREEZ): Sale take the chance so as to add to their factors tally with Du Preez sustaining his good document with the boot.
65’ –BRISTOL BEARS 0 SALE SHARKS 38: O’Flaherty steals the ball from a Harding cross metres out from his personal try-line. He performs the ball to Quirke who positive factors floor earlier than passing again to his team-mate to cross a memorable strive.
Key stats
- Sale Sharks solely had 42% possession and 44% of territory, however scored 35 factors of their opponents 22-metre zone
- Bristol Bears made 12 entries into their opponents 22-metre zone with out scoring a degree.
