The Prem, Ashton Gate
Bristol (7) 19
Tries: Owen, Moroni, Ravouvou Cons: Jordan, Williams
Sale (7) 17
Tries: O’Flaherty, van Rhyn Cons: Ford (2) Pens: Ford
Kalaveti Ravouvou’s try eight minutes from time earned Bristol Bears a hard-fought win over Sale Sharks at Ashton Gate to take them top of The Prem.
Sale winger Tom O’Flaherty scored the night’s first try before Joe Owen replied for Bristol on the stroke of half-time as the sides went into the break 7-7.
Sharks captain Ernst van Rhyn and a George Ford penalty put the visitors back in front before Matias Moroni’s try brought Bristol back within five points.
Bristol had largely been shut down in attack by a tremendous Sale defence but the home side finally found their fluency and worked Ravouvou in for the winning try.
More to follow.
Bristol: Rees-Zammit, Boshoff, Janse van Rensburg, Williams, Ravouvou; Jordan, Randall; Genge, Oghre, Chawatama, Rubiolo, Owen, Grondona, Harding (c), Mata.
Replacements: Thacker, Lahiff, Kloska, Taylor, Grondona, Marmion, Worsley, Heward.
Sale: Carpenter, O’Flaherty, du Preez, Ma’asi-White, Wills; Ford, Quirke; Rodd, Cowan-Dickie, Harper, Bamber, van Rhyn (c), Vermeulen, Dugdale, T Curry.
Replacements: Jibulu, McIntyre, Bell, Burrow, Gilmore, Warr, Louw, Wehr.
Yellow Card: Ma’asi-White.
Referee: Joe James.
