Bristol edge Sale 19-17 in Ashton Gate thriller

Bristol Bears 19-17 Sale Sharks, Ashton Gate

Bristol Bears opened 2026 with a dramatic 19-17 comeback win over Sale Sharks at Ashton Gate, extending their Gallagher PREM winning run to four matches. In front of more than 16,000 supporters, the Bears overturned a second-half deficit to claim a crucial home victory.

The contest began with high intensity on a cold night, Bristol asserting themselves early with a scrum penalty inside their own 22. Sale struck first after 17 minutes when Tom O’Flaherty found space on the right wing to score in the corner, with George Ford converting.

Bristol responded with increased pressure. Louis Rees-Zammit, recently committed on a new long-term deal, linked well with Kalaveti Ravouvou, who burst through midfield but was held short. Rees-Zammit was later withdrawn for a head injury assessment, with Matias Moroni introduced.

Just before the interval, Bristol capitalised on sustained forward pressure. A driving maul drew a penalty, and playing under advantage, Joe Owen powered over the line. Tom Jordan converted to level the score at 7-7 at half-time.

Bristol started the second half positively, but Sale again struck first. Ernst van Rhyn forced his way over despite strong resistance, and Ford converted before adding a penalty moments later to stretch the Sharks’ lead to 17-7.

Bristol refused to fold. After Moroni was brought down by a high tackle, Jordan kicked deep into the Sharks’ 22. From the resulting attack, Benhard Janse van Rensburg released Moroni, who finished well in the corner to reduce the deficit.

Momentum swung further when Rekeiti Ma’asi-White was shown a yellow card for a deliberate infringement near his own line. Bristol took full advantage. With ten minutes remaining, Ellis Genge produced a powerful carry before offloading to Ravouvou, who scored under the posts. James Williams converted to give the Bears a 19-17 lead.

The closing minutes were frantic. Pedro Rubiolo and Santi Grondona produced crucial turnovers to deny Sale, and Bristol managed the clock before kicking into touch to seal a hard-earned victory.

Team line up:

Bristol: Rees-Zammit, Boshoff, Janse van Rensburg, Williams, Ravouvou; Jordan, Randall; Genge, Oghre, Chawatama, Rubiolo, Owen, Grondona, Harding (c), Mata.

Reserves: Thacker, Lahiff, Kloska, Taylor, Grondona, Marmion, Worsley, Heward.

Sale: Carpenter, O'Flaherty, du Preez, Ma'asi-White, Wills; Ford, Quirke; Rodd, Cowan-Dickie, Harper, Bamber, van Rhyn (c), Vermeulen, Dugdale, T Curry.

Reserves: Jibulu, McIntyre, Bell, Burrow, Gilmore, Warr, Louw, Wehr.