Reigning champions Bath showcased their dominance with a 31-26 bonus-point victory over Sale Sharks in a thrilling Gallagher Premiership match at the CorpAcq Stadium.

Sale secured four tries from Tom O'Flaherty, Rob du Preez, Luke Cowan-Dickie, and Tom Roebuck, with George Ford successfully converting three of them. However, Bath's resilience shone through as they crossed the line five times, with tries from Dan Frost, Louie Hennessey, Ethan Staddon, Bernard van der Linde, and Alfie Barbeary. Santi Carreras converted three of Bath's tries, contributing significantly to their win.

Despite missing key players like twins Tom and Ben Curry due to injuries, Sale fielded a strong lineup, including Bevan Rodd, Ford, Roebuck, and Cowan-Dickie, who returned after their Six Nations commitments. Bath, resting some stars for the upcoming Investec Champions Cup clash against Saracens, still boasted 11 internationals in their matchday squad.

The match unfolded as follows:

• Frost opened the scoring for Bath, diving over for a try, converted by Carreras.
• Sale responded with O'Flaherty's try, leveling the score at 7-7.
• Du Preez and Cowan-Dickie added further tries for Sale, giving them a 19-7 lead at halftime.
• Bath, with Hennessey and Staddon scoring shortly after the break, leveled the match at 19-19.
• Roebuck and Barbeary traded tries late in the game, but Bath's final score sealed their victory.

This win places Bath just one point behind league leaders Northampton, intensifying the race for the top spot in the Gallagher Premiership.