Sale Sharks turn on the style to earn huge statement win over Bristol Bears

Sale Sharks sent a message to their Gallagher Premiership Rugby rivals by recording a surprise bonus point 0-38 victory at Bristol Bears.

The Bears had hoped to top the Premiership with a victory in front of a large home crowd at Ashton Gate.

However, they came up against a formidable Sharks side who were buoyed by back-to-back league wins.

On his second start of the season, Raffi Quirke set the tone by fooling the home defence with a dummy to open the try-scoring within three minutes.

George Ford then sent a lovely pass out wide for winger Tom Roebuck who scored Sale’s second try as they dominated the first half.

After the break, Ben Curry intercepted a pass inside the Bristol 22-metre zone and set the tone for the second half with a third try.

Bristol were desperate to give the home fans something to cheer, but Tom O’Flaherty hit them on the break as he and Quirke broke and the former raced over.

Sale’s form will be tested next Saturday when they head to Kingsholm to face Gloucester (3pm). Meanwhile, Bristol will have to pick themselves up and re-find their winning form at Saracens the same day (5.30pm).

Coming into the match Bath were full of confidence and tries, having picked up try bonus points in each of their last eight Gallagher Premiership matches.

However, they came up against a Sale side organised by their new defence coach Byron McGuigan.

The Bears had scored 44 tries in eight matches but failed to find a way across the whitewash despite several efforts inside the Sale 22-metre zone.

Sale’s defence slowed any Bristol attack and were well disciplined to keep their hosts at arm’s length.

Keeping Bristol out meant as much to the Sale players as taking the win and they celebrated both at full-time.

The open-side flanker was in inspired form in attack and defence as Sale dominated Bristol at Ashton Gate.

The 26-year-old was the top tackler and made the most carries as he steered the Sharks to a standout victory.

Curry’s sharpness to intercept a Bristol pass inside their own 22-metre line resulted in a simple try for the flanker at a key point of the match, early in the second half.

Not content with his attacking exploits, at the opposite end Curry out-ran winger Jack Bates to deny him a certain try.

Bristol Bears: Lane 6, Bates 6, Ravouvou 6, Van Rensburg 6, Ibitoye 6, Worsley 6, Randall 5, Woolmore 5, Thacker 6, Lahiff 6, Dun 5, Owen 5, Luatua 6, Harding 5, Mata 6

Replacements: Oghre 6, Thomas 6, Kloska 6, Hodgson 6, Grondona 6, Marmion 6, Williams 6, Elizalde 6.

Sale Sharks: Carpenter 7, Roebuck 7, Du Preez 7, James 7, O’Flaherty 7, Ford 8, Quirke 8, Rodd 7, Cowan-Dickie 7, Opoku-Fordjour 7, Van Rhyn 7, Hill 8, T.Curry 7, B.Curry 9, Du Preez 8.    

Replacements: Caine 6, McIntyre 6, Griff John 6, Beaumont 7, Du Preez 6, Warr 7, Bedlow 6, Dugdale 6.

3’ –TRY! BRISTOL BEARS 0 SALE SHARKS 7 (QUIRKE): The ball comes out the back of a maul following a line-out and a clever move by Quirke dummied the defence and raced over the whitewash. The conversion is also a good one from Du Preez.

7’ – PENALTY! BRISTOL BEARS 0 SALE SHARKS 10: Sale elect to kick for a penalty in front of the posts and Du Preez increases their advantage.

24’ –TRY! BRISTOL BEARS 0 SALE SHARKS 17 (ROEBUCK): Sale are on the charge and the ball comes out of a ruck before a lovely long pass from Ford releases Roebuck to cross in the corner. Du Preez adds the extra with his boot.

38’ –DROP GOAL! BRISTOL BEARS 0 SALE SHARKS 20 (FORD): After some persistent pressure from the Sharks the ball comes out to Ford whose kick from distance is perfect.

41’ –PENALTY! BRISTOL BEARS 0 SALE SHARKS 23 (DU PREEZ): Tom Curry wins a penalty on the floor after making a fantastic challenge inside the Bristol 22-metre zone. The referee awards a penalty which Du Preez kicks.

48’ –BRISTOL BEARS 0 SALE SHARKS 30 (B CURRY): Bristol are caught inside their own 22 with Harding trying to pass along the line. Ben Curry is on hand to snatch the ball and then dive across. Du Preez kicks the conversion under the posts.

60’ –PENALTY! BRISTOL BEARS 0 SALE SHARKS 33 (DU PREEZ): Sale take the opportunity to add to their points tally with Du Preez maintaining his perfect record with the boot.

65’ –BRISTOL BEARS 0 SALE SHARKS 38: O’Flaherty steals the ball from a Harding pass metres out from his own try-line. He plays the ball to Quirke who gains ground before passing back to his team-mate to cross a memorable try.

• Sale Sharks only had 42% possession and 44% of territory, but scored 35 points in their opponents 22-metre zone

• Bristol Bears made 12 entries into their opponents 22-metre zone without scoring a point.