Bristol Bears 0-38 Sale Sharks: Ben Curry scores superb try as record statement sale Gallagher Rugby Premiership win

Sale Sharks sent a message to their Gallagher Premiership Rugby rivals by recording a surprise 0-38 win at Bristol Bears.

The Bears were hoping to go top of the Premiership with a win in front of a big crowd at Ashton Gate.

However, they came up against a formidable Sharks side boosted by back-to-back league wins.

On his second start of the season, Raffi Quirke set the tone by fooling the home defense with a dummy to open the scoring with a try inside three minutes.

George Ford then sent a wonderful pass out for winger Tom Roebuck, who scored Sale’s second try as they dominated the first half.

After the break, Ben Curry intercepted a pass inside Bristol’s 22-yard box and set the tone for the second half with a third try.

Bristol were desperate to give the home fans something to cheer about but Tom O’Flaherty hit them on the break as he and Quirke broke and the former ran over.

Sale’s form will be tested next Saturday when they head to Kingsholm to face Gloucester (3pm). Meanwhile, Bristol will have to pick themselves up and find their winning form again at Saracens on the same day (5.30pm).

Going into the match, Bath were full of confidence and effort, having won try bonus points in each of their last eight Gallagher Premiership matches.

However, they came up against a Sale side marshalled by their new defense coach Byron McGuigan.

The Bears had scored 44 tries in eight matches but could not find a way across the whitewash despite several attempts inside the Sale 22m zone.

Sale’s defense slowed down any Bristol attack and were well disciplined to keep their hosts at arm’s length.

Keeping Bristol out meant as much to the Sale players as victory and they celebrated both at full-time.

The open side were in inspired form in attack and defense as Sale dominated Bristol at Ashton Gate.

The 26-year-old was the leading tackler and made most of the carries as he led the Sharks to an excellent win.

Curry’s sharpness to intercept a Bristol pass inside his own 22m line resulted in a simple try for the team at a key point in the game early in the second half.

Not content with his attacking exploits, at the opposite end Curry went past winger Jack Bates to deny him a certain try.

Bristol Bears: Lane 6, Bates 6, Ravouvou 6, Van Rensburg 6, Ibitoye 6, Worsley 6, Randall 5, Woolmore 5, Thacker 6, Lahiff 6, Dun 5, Owen 5, Luatua 6, Harding 5, Mata 6

Replacements: Oghre 6, Thomas 6, Kloska 6, Hodgson 6, Grondona 6, Marmion 6, Williams 6, Elizalde 6.

Sale Sharks: Carpenter 7, Roebuck 7, Du Preez 7, James 7, O’Flaherty 7, Ford 8, Quirke 8, Rodd 7, Cowan-Dickie 7, Opoku-Fordjour 7, Van Rhyn 7, Hill 8, T.Curry 7, B .Curry 9, Du Preez 8.

Replacements: Caine 6, McIntyre 6, Griff John 6, Beaumont 7, Du Preez 6, Warr 7, Bedlow 6, Dugdale 6.

3′ –ESSAY! BRISTOL BEARS 0 SALE SHARKS 7 (QUIRKE): The ball comes out of the back of a maul after a line out and a clever move by Quirke cleared the defense and went over the white. The conversion is also good from Du Preez.

7′ – PENALTY! BRISTOL BEARS 0 SALE SHARKS 10: Sale elects to kick a penalty in front of the posts and Du Preez increases their advantage.

24′ –ESSAY! BRISTOL BEARS 0 SALE SHARKS 17 (ROEBUCK): Discounts are on the class and the ball comes out of the scrum before a great long pass from Ford frees Roeback to slot into the corner. Du Preez adds the extra with his boot.

38′ –KICK GOAL! BRISTOL BEARS 0 SALE SHARKS 20 (FORD): After some persistent pressure from the Sharks, the ball goes to Ford whose long range kick is perfect.

41′ –PENALTY! BRISTOL BEARS 0 SALE SHARKS 23 (DU PREEZ): Tom Curry wins a penalty on the floor after making a fantastic challenge inside Bristol’s 22-yard box. The referee awards a penalty which is taken by Du Preez.

48′ –BRISTOL BEARS 0 SALE SHARKS 30 (B CURRY): Bristol are caught at their own 22 with Harding trying to pass along the line. Ben Curry is ready to grab the ball and then dive across. Du Preez makes the conversion under the posts.

60′ –PENALTY! BRISTOL BEARS 0 SALE SHARKS 33 (DU PREEZ): Discounts take the opportunity to add to their tally with Du Preez maintaining his perfect record with the boot.

65′ –BRISTOL BEARS 0 SALE SHARKS 38: O’Flaherty steals the ball from Harding’s pass from yards outside his own try line. He plays the ball to Quirke, who gains ground before passing back to his teammate for a memorable try.

• Sale Sharks only had 42% possession and 44% possession but scored 35 points inside their opponents’ 22m zone

• Bristol Bears made 12 entries into their opponents’ 22m zone without scoring a point.