Bath Rugby 24 Sale Sharks 20 SALE Sharks were left seething at the end of this ferocious encounter which they let slip in the final three minutes. They were also aggrieved by being on the wrong end of referee David Rose’s whistle, with a penalty count 15-4 in the home side’s favour. The busy match official produced three yellow cards in the first half – to Sharks’ Chabal and Turner, and home skipper Lipman.

Through all the physicality, the Sharks outscored their hosts by three tries to two, but even though both sides’ kickers had low percentages, Bath were awarded so many penalties that they scored just enough to take the game.

Quick thinking by scrum half Peel led to McAlister opening the scoring with a try after ten minutes, but Bath made the most of their numerical superiority five minutes later after Chabal’s temporary departure. Number eight Browne drove over, James converted and later added a penalty. Ex-England man Mark Cueto, playing at full back, scored the first of his two tries on 36 minutes, taking a pass from Tuilagi. McAlister converted, but James edged Bath 13-12 ahead just before half time.

The intensity was maintained through the second half with the Sharks, superbly led by Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe, clearly on top. James and McAlister traded penalties before Cueto took Hodgson’s pass to burst free through two tackles for a 66th minute try. McAlister thumped the post with his conversion attempt. With three minutes left, and the scoreboard showing 19-20, the Sharks put themselves under pressure in defence, allowing Maddock to send a hopeful punt out to Banahan on the left wing. The tall winger reached inside Cueto’s cover defence for Bath’s second try to take the spoils The Sharks had no time to reply, just a ‘losing bonus point’ to show for their Herculean efforts, but they deserved much more.

Fred Harvey