By Jonathan Noad
December 1 2002

Sale consolidated second place in the Zurich Premiership after putting Bath to the sword in this five try romp. This win more than made up for the poor performance in the away fixture a few weeks ago. Steve Hanley again demonstrated his credentials with a brace of tries. Sale opened the scoring early on with a penalty and neatly taken drop goal from veteran Jos Baxendell. Bath replied however with a try from flanker Scaysbrook. Sale changed gear and soon Steve Hanley raced over for two tries in the space of eight minutes the first being set up by inform full back Vaughan Going, the second by opposite wing man Mark Cueto. The teams went in at the break with Sale leading 19 –10 each with fourteen men following the sin binning of Kevin Yates and Jonathan Humphreys.

Bath came out fighting in the second half turning the match into quite a physical encounter. Bath only gained one penalty from Barkley’s boot by the time Sale’s Stu Pinkerton forced his way over from a good move in the left corner. This was followed by powerful Sale lock Dean Schofield forcing his way over sending Sale into a clear lead.

Bath replied briefly with a try from wing Simon Danielli. This was to be short lived though when Bath, now down to fourteen men following the sin binning of Grewcock, let Sale flyer Mark Cueto power his way over for a try. Sale finished deserved winners at 36-18.

This was another great team performance where it was difficult to pick any player out – Steve Hanley however must be knocking at the England selectors door again and Jos Baxendell proved to be an able playmaker in the continued absence of Charlie Hodgson.

The Sharks are now playing as well as last season which will give them a boost before another series of Heineken Cup matches when they play Llanelli home and away. This is further boosted by the return of inspirational skipper Bryan Redpath and Jason Robinson from international duty and the return from injury of Ian Fullerton and hopefully playmaker Charlie Hodgson.

SALE SHARKS

Going; Cueto, Harris, Bond, Hanley; Baxendell, Redpath; Yates, Marais, Turner; Jones, Schofield; Davies, Pinkerton, Anglesea.

Replacements: Roddham, Thorp, Stewart, Fullerton, Lund, Wigglesworth, Robinson.

Scorers : Baxendell (1C, 2P, 1DG), Harris (T), Hanley (2T), Schofield (T), Pinkerton (T), Cueto (T)

BATH

Barkley; Danielli, Maggs, Tindall, Davy; Catt, Blake; Barnes, Humphries, Mallett; Borthwick, Grewcock; Scaysbrook, Beattie, N. Thomas.

Replacements: Cooper, Mears, Galasso, Voyce, Crockett, G. Thomas, Lloyd.

Scorers : Barkley (1C, 2P), Scaysbrook (T), Danielli (T)