Matchday Live

#YourSharks overturn a fourteen-point deficit to draw 24-24 with Bath Rugby after a back and forth encounter at The Rec on Saturday.

Sale dominated after the break with tries from Jean-Luc du Preez, Rohan Van Rensburg and Evan Ashman putting the boys ahead.

Danny Cipriani’s kicked a penalty three minutes from time to make the score all square, but then Faf de Klerk missed an 83rd-minute penalty chance to win it for the Sharks.

The hosts gave away a penalty in the opening 60 seconds and were spared going down three points when Rob Du Preez’s penalty hit the post.

Nathan Hughes was then sent to the sin-bin for a high tackle and minutes later James gave Sale the lead under the posts.

When Hughes returned, he thought he had scored himself only for the TMO to think otherwise because of a knock-on.

Bath’s misfortune turned quickly when Underhill – back in the starting 15 after featuring for England in the Six Nations – scored twice from close range to put them ahead.

With Ben Curry sent to the bin for Sale, Bath extended their advantage through De Glanville for a healthy 21-7 half-time lead.

Sale came out revived after the break. Lock Jean-Luc Du Preez drove over first, Van Rensburg followed in the corner and Ashman secured the bonus point and a three-point lead, as Bath saw little of the ball in the Sale half for most of the 40 minutes.

Cipriani’s late penalty meant Bath drew level but it was agony for South Africa’s World Cup winning scrum-half De Klerk who, with the clock in red, sent his kick wide.

Sale director of rugby Alex Sanderson:

“Was a draw the fair result? It probably was, given how we performed in the first half.

“They looked dangerous in attack, put their bodies on the line. We looked a bit leaky and uncharacteristically soft.

“There was a general malaise and we lacked urgency in the first half. We addressed that at half-time and therein lies the difference.

“I’m really proud of that second half. It’s good to get three points but there’s two gone begging.”