Sale (15) 23
Tries: Cueto, Hodgson, JM Fernandez Lobbe Con: Hodgson Pens: Hodgson 2

Bath (3) 16
Try: Faamatuainu Con: Cuthbert Pens: Davis 3

Charlie Hodgson played a key role in Sale's victory at Edgeley Park

Charlie Hodgson scored 13 of Sale's points as they overcame fellow play-off hopefuls Bath at Edgeley Park.

The fly-half kicked two penalties and converted his own try as the Sharks recovered from four consecutive defeats to beat Steve Meehan's men.

England winger Mark Cueto and Argentine number eight Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe also crossed for the hosts.

Ryan Davis' boot and a late try from flanker Jonathon Faamatuainu failed to make up for the visitors' slow start.

However, the last-minute score did earn Bath a losing bonus point which edged them ahead of Harlequins and into the top four while Sale, despite their win, remain in sixth position.

Sharks coach Kingsley Jones:
"With the emotions involved in this job the difference between the highs and the lows is incredible.

"The attitude of the players was outstanding tonight and if we continue to show that level of commitment throughout the last three games we will get the results we are looking for.

"Bath are a very good side, they are not in the position that they are for no reason, so it was a key game and I am happy to take the four points.

"In terms of the attitude and commitment I can't ask for much more but the performances will get better."

Bath coach Steve Meehan:
"For the first 30 minutes of the match we did everything to give Sale opportunities because we rarely converted any of our set pieces into pressure.

"Once or twice when we got some one-on-ones we broke the line, but we were never all that settled and particularly in the first half we turned over too much ball.

"The pack won't be happy with their performance so they need to make sure that they are nice and aggressive when we play against Wasps.

"It is an interesting run of fixtures for everybody and we have got another two games in the next week which we need to get some decent results from to put us into a decent position going into the last two games."

Sale: McLeod; Cueto, M Tait, Thomas, Ripol; Hodgson, Wigglesworth; Sheridan, Bruno, Roberts, C Jones, Cockbain, White, Briggs, Fernandez Lobbe.
Replacements: Keil for Thomas (69), D Tait for C Jones (76).
Not Used: Faure, Turner, Cox, Kuadey, Cliff.

Sin Bin: Bruno (74).

Bath: Abendanon, Stephenson, Cheeseman, Hape, Higgins, Davis, Bemand, Barnes, Hawkins, Bell, Harrison, Hooper, Faamatuainu, Lipman, Browne.
Replacements: Cuthbert for Abendanon (69), Fuimaono-Sapolu for Davis (69), Baxter for Bemand (75), Short for Harrison (59), Beattie for Browne (33).
Not Used: Lilley, Jarvis.

Sin Bin: Faamatuainu (78).

Att: 9,808

Ref: S Davey (RFU).

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version