Sale Sharks secured a commanding 41-27 victory over Bristol Bears in a crucial Premiership clash at Salford Community Stadium, leapfrogging their rivals into third place and moving significantly closer to a top-four finish. The win marks Sale’s 26th home success in 29 Premiership games since the start of the 2022-23 season, highlighting their formidable record on home turf.
The match was billed as a vital shootout for a playoff spot, and Sale delivered a performance packed with energy and precision, powered by a standout display from fly-half George Ford. Ford’s intelligent game management, composed kicking, and slick handling orchestrated Sale’s attacking efforts, helping the Sharks to run in five tries and keep their playoff ambitions very much alive.
Sale, missing British & Irish Lions players Tom Curry and Luke Cowan-Dickie due to injury, got off to a strong start. Their first try came from Dan du Preez, who finished a well-crafted move that involved neat interplay from Rob du Preez and Ben Curry. Despite Bristol’s limited territory in the first half and scarce forays into Sale’s 22-metre area, they responded with a moment of brilliance when Harry Randall, in excellent form, deftly dummied past two defenders to score.
However, Sale quickly regained control and extended their lead through a powerful effort from hooker Tadgh McElroy, who forced his way over from close range. Ford’s accurate kicking contributed crucial points, including a second conversion that took Sale into a 20-5 lead at halftime.
After the break, Bristol fought back impressively with tries from Viliame Mata and Siva Naulago, showing renewed energy and intent. Yet Sale were unshaken. They responded with three more tries that showcased the team’s collective determination and depth. Lock Jonny Hill and back-rower Rekeiti Ma’asi-White epitomized Sale’s fighting spirit, driving forward with strength and grit to score.
England scrum-half Raffi Quirke also shone in the second half, cutting through the Bristol defense to score Sale’s fifth try, a reminder of his growing influence and quality on the field. Despite late tries from Bristol through Harry Byrne and Kalaveti Ravouvou, Sale’s dominance had already been established.
The Sharks will head into their final regular-season game against Exeter knowing that a win will secure their place in the playoffs for the third consecutive year. Meanwhile, Bristol, now in fourth place, will face Harlequins with their own top-four hopes under pressure.
Sale’s head coach Alex Sanderson expressed both pride and anticipation ahead of the final fixtures. Reflecting on past experiences, he recalled a tough loss to Exeter early in his time at Sale, when the team squandered a strong lead. Now, he said, he’s both excited and focused, determined to avoid a repeat of that disappointment.
Bristol’s squad was notably depleted, with Ellis Genge, their sole British & Irish Lions member, named only on the bench. Their coach, Pat Lam, acknowledged Sale’s performance, particularly praising George Ford for his masterclass display that was pivotal to the Sharks’ success.
The victory underlined Sale’s strength at home and their ability to perform under pressure against top-tier opponents. Their attacking flair combined with disciplined defense ensured they kept Bristol at bay for much of the match, while their resilience was evident in how they responded to Bristol’s attempts to claw back into the game.
Overall, Sale’s emphatic win was a testament to their cohesion and determination, with George Ford’s leadership on the field inspiring the team to a vital victory in the race for a playoff spot. As the season draws to a close, Sale’s confidence will be high as they prepare for a tough final fixture, aiming to maintain their impressive home record and secure a top-four finish once again.
