Bath defeat Sale Sharks 32-26 in Aviva Premiership
By PA Sport
Last Updated: 23/04/16 6:08pm
Bath held off a Sale fightback to avenge last week's defeat by the Sharks with a 32-26 win at the Recreation Ground.
First-half tries from Ollie Devoto and Charlie Ewels put Bath on their way to a seemingly comfortable Aviva Premiership victory as they went in 17-0 up at the break.
However, two quick tries from Johnny Leota and Andrei Ostrikov to start the second half put Sale right back in it.
Bath showed the spirit that has often been lacking this season, though, and Semesa Rokoduguni and Will Homer wrapped up the bonus-point success as they bounced back from last week's 29-17 away loss to the same opposition.
Sale secured two losing bonus points at the end with late tries from TJ Ioane and Leota.
Bath made a flying start with a try after just three minutes. Spotting a gap in the defensive line, Devoto showed his power to burst through and cross for the first try after being fed the ball by George Ford, who kicked the conversion.
They doubled their lead just before the quarter-hour mark, Ewels the beneficiary from a quick tap as he powered over. Ford converted once more.
The home side continued to stretch their advantage, Ford keeping the scoreboard ticking over with a first penalty of the afternoon to make it 17-0.
Guy Mercer was proving particularly effective for Bath, regularly turning ball over at the breakdown and slowing down Sale ball.
Bath almost had their third try on the half-hour when Rokoduguni stepped inside a tackle before finding Rhys Priestland, but the Welshman failed to hang on to the ball and the chance went begging.
Trailing 17-0 at the break, Sale needed a reaction and they got it right at the start of the second half, with Leota powering over after a series of pick and drives.
Danny Cipriani, on his 100th Sale appearance, converted to cut the deficit to 10 points.
And they added a second in similar fashion, with the Sale forwards turning the screw. This time after a kick to the corner, Russian lock Ostrikov showed his strength to drive over and, despite the best efforts of Rokoduguni, he was able to get the ball down. Cipriani again converted.
Bath looked to be on the ropes but a fine break from Devoto got them back on the front foot, and when Ioane handled in the ruck, Ford was able to stretch the lead back to six.
That appeared to get Bath back on track and soon after they had their third try to open a sizeable lead once again, Rokoduguni finishing on the right after sustained pressure.
Ford missed the conversion but it mattered little when replacement scrum-half Homer showed his pace to sprint away for his first Premiership try.
Ford converted from the touchline although Sale had the final say with Ioane and then Leota crossing from close range.