Sale's style defeats the substance of Bristol's pack

Sale 28 Bristol 14

This was always likely to be a contest between style and substance at Heywood Road. Bristol, with their muscular front five, were expected to squeeze the pips out of the lightweight Sale pack, as the Sharks continue to search for the irresistible all-action game that made then such a force last season. Ultimately, Sale mustered plenty of glitter, though not enough to earn them a bonus point last night. Even so, they move three places up the table to third, separated from Leeds on points difference.

The Sale backs always held the upper hand. They opened with a smashing try by Mark Cueto, Nick Walshe got his goalkicking act together and any number of tries could have flowed from the incursions made by Bryan Redpath or the improving Walshe.

Despite two impressive showings in the Heineken Cup last month, which included the defeat of highly-fancied Montferrand last month, Bristol are stone bottom of the Premiership. In mitigation, they have been hit badly by injuries, international calls and suspension, which left them short of six forwards, plus their first-choice half-backs, Agustin Pichot and Felipe Contepomi, who are with Argentina today.

The one plus in Bristol's campaign has been the leadership of Garath Archer. No stranger to controversy, Archer, we were given to understand, is a reformed character this season. Having opted for a line-out from a kickable penalty position, Bristol were held at a series of drives. Archer's response was to perform some reckless tap dancing at a ruck and was deservedly shown a yellow card.

While Archer was off, Sale played some of their best rugby, though their only score was a penalty by Walshe. Bristol welcomed him back in the best way possible, with two penalties by Shane Drahm to move within four points of Sale.

Although often ponderous, Bristol's handling was imprecise. However, Phil Christophers was a threat, while Emiliano Bergamaschi worked hard. And Drahm helped himself to a penalty to make it interesting.

Even more interesting when Peter Richards' try cancelled out Graeme Bond's touchdown. Then, after Walshe's second penalty, came the game's defining moment. Steve Hanley was sent clear for Jason Robinson to chase the winger's chip into goal and Bristol were 11 points adrift and far from shipshape once Bond's drop goal sailed over.

Sale: Tries Cueto, Bond, Robinson; Conversions Walshe 2; Penalties Walshe 2; Drop goal Bond. Bristol: Try Richards; Penalties Drahm 3.

Sale: V Going; M Cueto, J Robinson, G Bond, S Hanley; N Walshe, B Redpath (capt); K Yates (J Thorp, 59), A Titterrell (C Marais, 77), S Turner (B Stewart, 55), C Jones (C Day, 83), D Schofield, P Anglesea, S Pinkerton (M Lund, 83), P Davies.

Bristol: L Best; D Rees, A Higgins, D Gibson, P Christophers; S Drahm, P Richards; E Bergamaschi (S Nelson, 74), P Johnstone; D Crompton, G Archer (capt), A Brown, C Short, M Lipman (C Morgan, 26), R Oakley.

Referee: R Maybank (Orpington).