Match Centre: Gallagher Premiership: Bristol Bears 0-38 Sale Sharks

Ben Curry was one of the try scorer for Sale Sharks
Ben Curry was one of the try scorer for Sale Sharks
©Steve Haag

Bristol Bears 0-38 Sale Sharks, Ashton Gate

Sale Sharks delivered a commanding performance to defeat Bristol Bears 31-0 in the Gallagher Premiership, marking Bristol's third league loss of the season in front of a full Ashton Gate crowd.

The visitors set the tone early with Raffi Quirke crossing the try line within three minutes. Rob du Preez converted and added a penalty shortly after, giving Sale an early cushion.

Bristol's struggles were compounded when Harry Randall received a yellow card in the 22nd minute. Sale capitalized on the numerical advantage, with Tom Roebuck racing over in the corner.

England international George Ford added a clinical drop goal just before halftime, putting Sale firmly in control at 20-0.

Sale maintained their momentum after the break, with Ford slotting a penalty just two minutes into the second half. Ben Curry then intercepted a pass in the Bears' 22 and ran under the posts for Sale’s third try, which Du Preez converted, extending the lead to 30-0.

Bristol fought to gain a foothold in the match, with Jack Bates coming close to scoring but being outpaced by Curry.

Despite turnovers and moments of pressure, Bristol's attack faltered against Sale’s resolute defence. Gabriel Oghre came agonizingly close to scoring, only for his effort to be ruled out due to a knock-on.

Sale sealed the bonus-point victory when Quirke pounced on a loose ball, setting up Tom O’Flaherty for the final try of the match. Despite Rich Lane’s best defensive efforts, O’Flaherty grounded the ball to complete an impressive display.

Bristol fought valiantly until the final whistle but were unable to break Sale’s defensive line. The Sharks' strong showing reaffirmed their position as a force in the league, leaving the Bears with much to ponder ahead of their next fixture.

Team line up:

Bristol: Lane; Bates, Ravouvou, Janse van Rensburg, Ibitoye; Worsley, Randall; Woolmore, Thacker, Lahiff; Dun, Owen, Luatua, Harding (c), Mata.

Reserves: Oghre, Y. Thomas, Kloska, Hodgso, Grondona, Marmion, Williams, Elizalde.

Sale: Carpenter, Roebuck, R. du Preez, James, O'Flaherty, Ford, Quirke; Rodd, Cowan-Dickie, Opoku-Fordjour, Van Rhyn, Hill, T. Curry, B. Curry (c), D. du Preez.

Reserves: Caine, McIntyre, John, Beaumont, JL. du Preez, Warr, Bedlow, Dugdale.

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