Sale 26-31 Bath
Bath close to point of Prem leaders Northampton
The reservoir of talent at Bath runs deep. The reigning champions rested a raft of key men but ultimately had too much class for a Sale side whose season continues to unravel at a rate of knots.
Johann van Graan’s men conjured two tries in the final quarter, including when their 20-year-old hooker Kepu Tuipulotu sent a delightful kick down the left channel for fellow replacement Bernard van der Linde to saunter clear.
That 62nd-minute try was converted to level the scores at 26-26 before another substitute, Alfie Barbeary, went over to clinch victory with nine minutes remaining and leave his side just a point behind the leaders Northampton.
