Brilliant Sale defeat top of the log Bristol

FT - Bristol Bears 13 Sale Sharks 20

Sale Sharks put in a brilliant defensive effort to beat 1st place Bristol Bears at Ashton Gate

A cagey first 15 minutes saw neither team grab control or score. Sale went down to 14 men after Jono Ross went to the bin from a lineout.

This allowed Bristol to open the scoring following the card. Byrne going over off the lineout. Lloyd added the extras.

Sale took control for the next 15 minutes and made Bristol pay for ill discipline. AJ MacGinty added three consecutive penalties to take a two point lead to halftime, despite Bristol being denied a try on half time.

The second half was another tight 40 minutes and Bristol struggled to find a way past the stern Sale defense.

They were able to take the lead in the 63rd minutes thanks to a Lloyd penalty.

Bristol then extended their lead with another Lloyd penalty with just seven minutes remaining.

Sale pressed and chased the game and were rewarded after a brilliant James try just three minutes later. MacGinty missed the conversion.

MacGinty then wrapped up the points with a late penalty to give Sale a brilliant away with and hand Bristol only their second defeat of the season.

Top performer -

Charles Piutau - Outstanding on attack. He was a constant threat with the ball in hand. Created several chances that weren't taken.

Jono Ross - Despite his yellow card, he was outstanding on defense. He was also a strong ball carrier for Sale