Sharks bite back at Bristol

Sale kept themselves on course to qualify for next year's Heineken Cup with a 24-17 victory over Bristol at the Memorial Ground.

The Sharks scored three of four second-half tries after a turgid opening 40 minutes that had seen no points scored by either side.

Director of rugby Philippe Saint Andre knows his players now have their destiny in their own hands ahead of games against Wasps on Tuesday and then Newcastle next Sunday.

They will head into a tough final week in fourth spot having handed Bristol their third successive league defeat.

Chances

For only the fourth time since the the Premiership started in 1997 neither team managed to register a point in the first half, though both had their chances.

The visitors dominated the early play, Mark Cueto going close when he was tackled by number eight Dan Ward-Smith and knocked on close to the line.

Bristol's best chance to break the deadlock came when they were awarded a penalty after 12 minutes.

Instead of going for the posts they opted to kick across field but Ed Barnes' chip was too far for wing Tom Arscott to get on the end of.

Charlie Hodgson, who had already kicked 158 points this season, failed with a 45-metre penalty attempt to leave the game deadlocked at the break.

In light of the uninspired performance Saint-Andre made two changes at half-time, Luke McAlister replacing Cueto and Brent Cockbain taking from Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe in the second row.

However, the first points belonged to Bristol, winger Arscott's run down the touchline resulting in a penalty that allowed fly-half Barnes to break the deadlock.

Sharks response

Sale answered back almost immediately with a try from lock Sean Cox which Hodgson converted from out wide.

Bristol briefly regained the lead when the ball was knocked out of Barnes' hands and broke kindly to centre Neil Brew who scooped up the loose ball to score.

Once again the Sharks gritted their teeth after the setback, full-back Ben Foden side-stepping his way to the line for an instant reply.

Hodgson kicked the simple conversion and then knocked over a drop goal to put alittle daylight between the two teams.

Chris Jones' score with 12 minutes to go pushed Sale 12 points clear and once replacement number eight Andrew Blowers knocked-on when over the line, Bristol knew the game was gone from their grasp.

They did at least manage to grab a losing bonus point thanks to Samoan wing David Lemi's try, replacement fly-half Jason Strange converting just before the final whistle.