Bath Rugby 42-24 Sale Sharks - Rampant Bath record bonus-point victory over Sharks in Gallagher Premiership Rugby clash

Bath Rugby moved back into second in the Gallagher Premiership Rugby table as a Joe Cokanasiga brace helped them to a 42-24 bonus-point victory against Sale Sharks.

After the Six Nations break, Bath got off to a superb start as full-back Matt Gallagher scored the opening try after just three minutes.

Sale have top-four aspirations of their own, and Manu Tuilagi span his marker to give the visitors a four-point lead.

Cokanasiga opened his account on the 22nd-minute mark to put Bath back ahead and they held their advantage into half-time, thanks partly to a try-saving Ben Spencer challenge to deny Arron Reed.

Two minutes after the break, Sale were back ahead after Tom Roebuck made a fine interception and crossed the whitewash.

Cokanasiga scored his side’s third try to put Bath back in front, only for Sam Dugdale to pull Sale back into the match as the momentum continued to swing.

However, Bath were not to be denied, with the boot of Finn Russell increasing their lead before Tom Dunn sealed the bonus point and Ollie Lawrence crossed for a fifth try.

A battling bonus-point victory keeps Bath in the title race sitting just two points behind Northampton Saints.

The five points were as important as momentum following the Six Nations break in fixtures. However, Bath showed their sharpness with Gallagher scoring with three minutes on the clock.

The kicking of Russell helped them through a tricky contest with the fly-half slotting over four conversions, two penalties and a drop goal.

If Bath and league leaders Northampton Saints win all their next four league fixtures then the pair meet in the final round of matches on Saturday, May 18, at The Rec.

The power and speed of the right winger made sure he was in the right place to finish off two well-worked moves.

Sale Sharks could only look on as he powered over a vital third try for the hosts as they took hold of the tie.

Bath Rugby: Obano 7, Dunn 7, Du Toit 6, Roux 6, Ewels 6, Hill 7, Underhill 7, Barbeary 7, Spencer 8, Russell 9, Muir 7, Redpath 7, Lawrence 8, Cokanasiga 8, Gallagher 8

Replacements: Annett 6, Schoeman 6, Griffin 6, Stooke 6, Reid 7, Schreuder 6, Bailey 6, Coetzee 6

Sale Sharks: Rodd 6, Cowan-Dickie 6, Harper 6, Wiese 7, Beaumont 7, Van Rhyn 6, Dugdale 6, J Du Preez 7, Warr 7, Ford 7, Reed 8, Tuilagi 8, R Du Preez 7, Roebuck 7, Carpenter 7

Replacements: Taylor 6, McIntyre 6, Opoku-Fordjour 6, Bamber 6, Andrews 6, Quirke 6, James 6, O’Flaherty 6

Bath again pass quickly along the line with Redpath finding the path of Gallagher who goes over. Some debate over whether Cokanasiga had made a forward pass, but it’s not referred to TMO.

Russell makes no mistake with the kick from out wide to make it 7-0.

Sale are camped close to the Bath line before Ford finds Tuilagi who spins away from his marker to cross for a try.

Ford’s kick is good and the visitors lead 7-10

Hill powers forward before some quick passing by Russell, Dunn and Redpath results in Cokanasiga going flying over the line.

Russell sends the kick flying over to regain a 14-10 lead.

Roebuck picks off an interception taking the ball from Spencer’s pass and sprinting across the whitewash.

Ford kicks straight through the posts as Sale Sharks regain the lead.

Russell releases Lawrence who is held up, but the ball is recycled and Cokanasiga finds a gap to score.

Russell adds the extras with his third conversion of the day from a tight angle.

Tuilagi drives the ball forward and when he is brought down the ball comes back out and along the line to Dugdale in space to cross.

Ford kicks the extras to level the match.

Bath seal as bonus point as a line-out five metres out results in Dunn crossing amid a ruck of bodies.

Russell is perfect again from the tee to increase his side’s lead.

Bath put the game out of sight with the ball coming out of a ruck to Muir who holds off two men before releasing Lawrence to finish.4

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