Match Centre: Bristol Bears 32-15 Sale Sharks

Bristol Bears 32-15 Sale Sharks, Ashton Gate

Bristol Bears managed to return back to winning ways as they defeated Sale Sharks 32-15 in the 13th round of the Gallagher Premiership at Ashton Gate on Saturday.

This is fourth win for Bristol as they are at 11th position in the table with 21 points while Sale Sharks are at 10th place with 24 points.

The visitors got their opening try inside the first five minutes as AJ MacGinty breached the defence of Bristol before Rob du Preez and Marland Yarde combined to send Ewan Ashman over the line in the fourth minute. Nevertheless, MacGinty's conversion went wide.

Nevertheless, they were down by a player temporarily in the 8th minute with referee Wayne Barnes sin-binning Tom Curry for a technical infringement. With the numerical advantage on their side, Bristol dominated the end of the opening quarter with Will Capon touching down in the 9th minute from a line out and in the 18th minute Luke Morahan dotted down after a long pass from Harry Randall.

With Sheedy managing one out of the two conversion, Pat Lam's side had a 12-5 lead but it was short-lived as Robert du Preez crossed the whitewash around the half-hour mark and MacGinty improved it as the scores were levelled but the home side scored their third try through Morahan's second that came in the 31st minute.

As the break was approaching, MacGinty landed a penalty goal but it was still Bristol, who completed the opening half with a 19-14 lead.

Sheedy extended Bristol's lead with penalties in the 43rd and 56th minutes making it 25-14 and just when Sale looked to make a comeback, Luke James' try was ruled out by Barnes after a consultation with a TMO and few minutes later Sam James' try was also ruled out for a deliberate knock on.

The bonus point for Bristol came in the final minute with Andy Uren crossing over and Sheedy's conversion ensured they went on to complete a 17-point victory.

Team line up:

Bristol: Morahan; Lloyd, Radradra, Bedlow, Purdy; Sheedy, Randall; Lahiff, Capon, Sinckler, Joyce, Hawkins, Vui, D Thomas, Harding.

Reserves: Kerr, Woolmore, Afoa, Holmes, Heenan, Uren, O'Conor, Bates.

Sale Sharks: L James; McGuigan, R Du Preez, S James, Yarde; MacGinty, Cliff; Rodd, Ashman, Schonert, JL Du Preez, De Jager, Ross, T Curry, D Du Preez.

Reserves: Taylor, McIntyre, Oosthuizen, Postlethwaite, B Curry, Warr, Doherty, Hammersley.