Sale get semi-final sinking feeling in Bath loss

SALE Sharks missed out on the Gallagher Premiership final after a thrilling 31-23 defeat against Bath at the Recreation Ground.

- ANDREW BALDOCK

Sale, eighth in the table two months ago, gave it everything and wiped out an 18-5 deficit before two second-half Finn Russell penalties and a late Niall Annett try saw Bath home.

Flanker Ted Hill and prop Beno Obano also scored for Bath, with flyhalf Finn Russell kicking 16 points from four penalties and two conversions.

Sale also scored three tries - skipper Ben Curry, hooker Tommy Taylor and wing Tom O'Flaherty all crossed with George Ford adding two penalties and a conversion.

But there was no fairy tale return to action for Sale and England flanker Tom Curry, who featured for 33 minutes off the bench on his first appearance since the World Cup after undergoing major hip surgery.

Bath took a fourth-minute lead after wing Joe Cokanasiga was obstructed chasing a Ben Spencer kick, with Russell making no mistake from 25 metres out.