Bristol snatched victory in the dying minutes after trailing Sale for most of
the game.
Full-back Felipe Contepomi kept his cool to secure success by the narrowest of
margins and bring Sale's recent winning streak to an end.
The sides cancelled each other out for much of the first half with Charlie
Hodgson for Sale and Contepomi exchanging early penalties.
Contepomi put Bristol temporarily ahead on 20 minutes with another penalty but
with Sale's backs bursting with confidence it was not long before they created
the opening with full-back Vaughan Going touching down and Hodgson converting.
The home side continued to dominate but poor lineout work let them down badly
and allowed Bristol to pull back with further penalties.
Hodgson added penalties either side of the break to extend Sale's lead but
Sale old boy David Rees enjoyed his return to Heywood Road with a try in the
corner which reduced the gap to three points.
Contepomi had a long-range chance to level the scores on 50 minutes but having
survived a string of Bristol attacks Sale then moved up a gear and forced their
opponents to give away two penalties in quick succession.
Nicki Little, on for Hodgson, pushed Sale further ahead with his two
well-struck goals but still Bristol kept coming.
Sale lacked the power and determination in the forwards to increase their lead
and Bristol took full advantage, driving the home side repeatedly back towards
their own line.
More hard work from the forwards forced Sale onto the back foot and earned a
penalty from which Contepomi scored the winning points.
Zurich man of the match: Felipe Contepomi.
Teams:
Sale: Going, Hanley, Shaw,
Deane, Robinson, Hodgson, Redpath,
Black, Jackman, Bell, Manson-Bishop, Fletcher, Anglesea, Appleyard, Perelini.
Replacements: Little for Hodgson (51), Thiel for Black (51),
Rusk for Jackman (60), Lines for Manson-Bishop (63),
Whittle for Fletcher (51), Morris for Perelini (55).
Not Used: Knight.
Sin Bin: Anglesea (72).
Tries: Going.
Cons: Hodgson.
Pens: Hodgson 4, Little 2.
Bristol: Best, Rees, Nabaro, Mayer, S. Brown, Contepomi, Baber,
Johnstone, McCarthy, Crompton, Archer, A. Brown, C. Short,
Vander, Salter, Sheridan.
Replacements: Sheridan for Archer (54),
Brownrigg for Salter (42), Fullman for Sheridan (59).
Not Used: Williams, Dewdney, Simone, Bowen.
Sin Bin: Crompton (59), Fullman (66).
Tries: Rees, Johnstone.
Cons: Contepomi 2.
Pens: Contepomi 4.
Att: 2,631
Ref: Roy Maybank (RFU).
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