Bath's Zak Feaunati finds his way blocked by the Sale defence

Sale (10) 16
Tries: Bell
Pens: Thomas 3
Cons: Thomas

A late drop goal by Chris Malone two minutes from time gave Bath a vital win against Sale at The Rec.

Malone was the key figure for the home side, kicking five penalties which helped keep Bath in the game.

Sale had looked in command when Chris Bell went over for the game's only try on the stroke of half-time.

Two Lee Thomas penalties put Sale 16-9 ahead but the introduction of Olly Barkley gave Bath hope and they finished the stronger for the win.

"You'll see more and more belief in this Bath team from here on.

"I thought we deserved to score a couple of tries."

"We did nothing in the first half but still found ourselves in front at half-time.

"I expected more when we were 10-9 up and after 10 minutes of the second half when we had a seven-point lead.

"But we went to sleep and we were unable to keep the ball for more than one phase."

Bath: Abendanon, Maddock, Walker, Fuimaono-Sapolu, Bory, Malone, Walshe, Barnes, Mears, Dawson, Short, Grewcock, Beattie, Faamatuainu, Feau'nati.
Replacements: Ward, Ovens, Fidler, Scaysbrook, Louw, Barkley, Williams.

Sale: Larrechea, Robinson, Mayor, Bell, Foden, Thomas, Martens, Faure, Titterrell, Stewart, Jones, Schofield, Bonner-Evans, J. Fernandez Lobbe, Chabal.
Replacements: Goana, Evans, Day, Hills, Blair, Taylor, Hanley.