A DEBUT try from Scottish star Bryan Redpath helped Sale Sharks get their Zurich Premiership season underway with a bang against Bath last weekend.

The new boy and his team mates scored a narrow 33-32 victory in the Heywood Road opener against last year's runners-up.

And there was much for watching Rugby League stars Jason Robinson and 'The Terminator' Apollo Perelini to think about as they prepare to switch codes and dip into the Sharks' waters.

Bath brought their star-studded squad to Heywood Road for the season opener expecting to go one better than last time around - but Sharks had different ideas.

The home side gave as good as they got in this exciting tussle and showed a determination not to be strugglers this season.

And they had the home crowd on their feet as they turned the game around after Bath had threatened to take a grip in the first half.

Until the visitors had scored twice in quick succession, Sale had been making the most of the breeze behind them and it was a tight contest.

The turning point came when Bath backrow Nathan Thomas was sinbinned for a professional foul and Sale took advantage.

Skipper Alex Sanderson chose not to kick from in front of the posts and ran the ball to Redpath who crossed the line.

Niki Little converted on what was a successful day for him with every kick from his boot notching more points for the Heywood Roaders.

Early kicking took Sale into a 9-3 lead before defensive lapses allowed Rob Thirlby and Matt Perry to claim tries for Bath.

But it was Redpath's injury time score that brought new hope to the home side and after the interval the game swung both ways.

Sale took their chance on the hour when Steve Hanley stormed over the line to leave the kickers battling it out for glory.

And it was Little who triumphed in the end and helped his teammates to a morale-boosting opening day success.

Young skipper Sanderson said: "I thought both Bryan and Niki had great games today and they certainly helped me through in my role as captain.

"It is a great start for us after all ourt hard preparation work but we are not getting carried away."

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.