Bath close in on top four
PREMIERSHIP REPORT: Rhys Priestland went on a one-man crusade to ensure that Bath beat Sale Sharks by a whisker, 16-14.
The victory helped Bath leapfrog their opponents in the standings – moving up to fifth place.
Two penalties from the Welshman gave Bath a 6-0 lead at the end of a first half, in which the visitors grew, but came up with nothing to show for it at the break.
And they were made to pay when Jonathan Joseph scored a stunning try, following a kick and chase from Tom Homer, and a critical offload from Priestland, who landed the conversion.
Then the game ignited, Sale’s Armand van der Merwe crossing for his third league try of the season.
Less than five minutes later Byron McGuigan scored Sale’s second – Rob du Preez converting both to give the visitors a one-point lead.
But a third and final Priestland penalty was for the hosts to regain their advantage and hold on for the points.
The scorers
For Bath:
Try: Joseph
Con: Priestland
Pens: Priestland 3
For Sale Sharks:
Tries: Van der Merwe, McGuigan
Cons: R du Preez 2
Teams:
Bath: 15 Tom Homer, 14 Semesa Rokoduguni, 13 Jonathan Joseph, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 Anthony Watson, 10 Rhys Priestland, 9 Will Chudley, 8 Taulupe Faletau, 7 Francois Louw (captain), 6 Tom Ellis, 5 Elliott Stooke, 4 Josh McNally, 3 Will Stuart, 2 Tom Dunn, 1 Beno Obano.
Replacements: 16 Jack Walker, 17 Lewis Boyce, 18 Christian Judge, 19 Matt Garvey, 20 Josh Bayliss, 21 Chris Cook, 22 Freddie Burns, 23 Aled Brew.
Sale Sharks: 15 Chris Ashton, 14 Denny Solomona, 13 Sam James, 12 Rohan Janse van Rensburg, 11 Byron McGuigan, 10 Robert du Preez, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Daniel du Preez, 7 Tom Curry, 6 Jono Ross (captain), 5 James Phillips, 4 Bryn Evans, 3 WillGriff John, 2 Akker van der Merwe, 1 Coenie Oosthuizen.
Replacements: 16 Rob Webber, 17 Ross Harrison, 18 Jake Cooper-Woolley, 19 Jean-Luc du Preez, 20 Ben Curry, 21 Will Cliff, 22 AJ MacGinty, 23 Marland Yarde.
Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys
Assistant referees: Adam Leal & Phil Watters.
TMO: Claire Hodnett.
Report by @premrugby
