Rejuvenated Sale Sharks pulled off a shock victory as they defeated one of the
favourites for the title Bath by a single point and sent a strong message to any
clubs who might have written them off as no-hopers.
New owner Brian Kennedy can, for today at least, feel his money has been
well-spent over the summer as the new-look Sharks gave Bath as good as they
got.
It also gave Wigan Warriors star Jason Robinson plenty to think about as he
looked on from the stands with fellow rugby league star Apollo Perelini.
The rugby leaguers obviously enjoyed the union show at Heywood Road but not
half as much as the loyal Sale fans who put up with so much misery last season.
The lead changed hands on a regular basis with Sale fly-half Niki Little and
Bath scrum-half Jon Preston exchanging penalties throughout the match.
Bath appeared to have the upper hand as the first half drew to a close thanks
to well-taken tries from Rob Thirlby and Matt Perry but with the last touch of
the half, Sale scrum-half Bryan Redpath, former Scotland international, scored
on his league debut to leave Sale trailing by a point.
The second half saw Sale attacking hard and Little could do nothing wrong with
the boot as he edged his side into the lead.
Preston kept Bath in touch but it was Steve Hanley's strong run and try which
saved the day for the Sharks.
Preston pulled Bath back to within a point of the home side but with the final
touch of the game Bath's Mike Catt sent a desperate drop goal sailing off
towards the corner flag which left Sale fans rejoicing as the whistle went.
Sale: Going, Moore, Shaw, Deane,
Hanley, Little, Redpath,
Black, Clark, Thiel, Manson-Bishop, Whittle, Anglesea, Morris,
Sanderson.
Replacements: Harris for Deane (67), Bell for Black (50),
Jackman for Clark (68), Baldwin for Manson-Bishop (59),
Appleyard for Morris (40).
Not Used: Hatley, Hodgson.
Tries: Redpath, Hanley.
Cons: Little.
Pens: Little 7.
Bath: Perry, Thirlby, Maggs,
Tindall, A. Adebayo, Catt,
Preston, Barnes, Regan, Mallett, Haag, Borthwick, G. Thomas,
Clarke, N. Thomas.
Not Used: Cooper, Long, Horsman, Berne, Guscott, Gardiner,
Gabey.
Sin Bin: G. Thomas (40).
Tries: Thirlby, Perry.
Cons: Preston 2.
Pens: Preston 6.
Att: 2,980
Ref: Ashley Rowden (Berkshire (RFU)).
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