BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | English | Bath end losing streak

Bath 24-18 Sale

Bath got back to winning ways in the Zurich Premiership, coming from 15-8 down at half-time to get the better of Sale.

Bath had gone seven league games without a win but they showed great commitment and character with a second-half penalty try proving crucial.

That was a very gutsy performance by the boys

Michael Foley
Bath coach

Sharks debutant Warren Spragg blatantly hauled down Bath's Simon Danielli after the wing had kicked clear and the resulting score ultimately settled an uninspiring encounter.

Wing Tom Voyce claimed an early try for the home side, while centre Olly Barkley kicked 11 points and substitute fly-half Chris Malone dropped a goal.

Sharks pair Steve Hanley and Graeme Bond went over for tries while Nick Walshe added two penalties and a conversion.

Tom Voyce claimed an early try for Bath

Bath full-back Rob Thirlby, in for the injured Matt Perry, had a poor start to the game.

Thirlby, linked with a possible loan move to Leeds, found his defensive frailities exposed after five minutes as Steve Hanley rounded him to score his side's first try.

Bath responded when Barkley slotted a penalty, and they went ahead just five minutes later through Voyce.

But Sharks responded firstly through Walshe's 21st minute penalty which levelled matters and then a try in first-half injury time.

Barkley's poor defensive clearance was gathered by Sharks wing Mark Cueto, who sent Bond over for a simple try which Walshe converted to give them a 15-8 lead.

We played badly, particularly in the second half

Jim Mallinder
Sale coach

Things looked bleak for Bath when Barkley missed two penalty chances in quick succession.

But on 56 minutes, Spragg was penalised after tackling Danielli without the ball, giving referee Ashton-Jones no option but to award a penalty try, which Barkley improved.

Another Barkley penalty stretched the Bath advantage and with the home side full of confidence, there was to be no way back for Sale.

Bath: Thirlby, Danielli, Barkley, Crockett, Voyce, Catt, Cooper, Barnes, Humphries, Mallett, Borthwick, Lyle, Scaysbrook, Beattie, N. Thomas.
Replacements: A. Williams, Mears, Galasso, Malone, Davy, Pendlebury, Lloyd.

Sale: Going, Cueto, Deane, Bond, Hanley, Spragg, Walshe, Yates, Titterrell, Turner, Schofield, C. Jones, Davies, Pinkerton, Anglesea.
Replacements: Marais, Thorp, Stewart, Day, Lund, Harris, Wigglesworth.

Referee: Grant Ashton-Jones (RFU)


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