Premiership: Bath hold off late Sale charge

Bath exacted revenge on Sale Sharks with a 32-26 victory that dents the latter's top six hopes in the Premiership.

Last weekend Sale enjoyed a 29-17 victory in the first game of the double-header, but they were unable to replicate that performance at The Rec as Bath ran in four tries.

Ollie Devoto and Charlie Ewels went over inside the first 11 minutes for the hosts, both spotting gaps in the Sale defence to touch down close to the posts.

Both scores were converted by George Ford, and the fly-half added a penalty to give Bath a 17-0 lead at the break.

Sale were not giving up easily, though, as converted tries from Johnny Leota and Andrei Ostrikov brought them to within three points.

Ford quickly kicked Bath six clear with a 53rd-minute penalty, and the hosts sealed the game with two tries in 20 minutes, Semesa Rokoduguni and Tom Homer going over to put them 32-14 ahead.

Still the visitors would not lie down and although their late pressure saw TJ Ioane and Leota go over, it was not enough.

The defeat leaves Sale just one point ahead of Northampton Saints after 20 matches, while Harlequins are also in contention for a European place.