Sharks end their Premiership Rugby Cup campaign in style with a thrilling 41–36 victory at Ashton Gate, sealing the win with a dramatic 78th-minute try from Joe Bedlow.
With both sides naming strong line-ups and several senior players returning, the stage was set for a high-quality encounter. The Sharks welcomed back Joe Carpenter, Dan du Preez and Tom O’Flaherty to the starting XV, while Bristol reinstated a host of experienced campaigners for the final round before the break. It promised to be electric — and it certainly delivered.
Bristol opened the scoring through Bill Mata, who burst through midfield to set up a move finished in the corner by Elizalde, with James Williams adding an excellent touchline conversion.
Sale responded immediately. From the restart, the Sharks regained possession and, after building phases inside the 22, slick hands from half-backs Rob du Preez and Gus Warr sent Arron Reed over in the corner.
The hosts struck again in transition, with Ravouvou breaking down the wing before releasing Ibitoye to score their second. But after a breathless opening spell, the Sharks’ set piece took control.
A midfield penalty allowed Rob du Preez to kick deep, and from the resulting lineout Nathan Jibulu powered over in the corner. Moments later, the Sale maul went to work again. From five metres out, Sam Dugdale crossed before Jibulu claimed his second of the afternoon from another driving effort to give the Sharks a 22–12 advantage approaching the half-hour mark.
Bristol reduced the deficit before the break through Gabriel Oghre from a five-metre lineout, with Williams converting. The hosts also saw Jacques Vermeulen sent to the sin bin, and the Sharks took a narrow 22–19 lead into half-time.
Sale struck first after the restart. Sustained pressure inside the 22 allowed Dan du Preez to crash over from close range, and Rob du Preez added the extras to extend the advantage.
Despite being reduced to 14 men themselves following Tom O’Flaherty’s yellow card, the Sharks continued to fight. Bristol capitalised on the overlap for Elizalde to score, before Ibitoye added his second to level the contest at 29–29 heading into the final quarter.
Ben Bamber restored the Sale lead from close range, but Bristol responded once more, Oghre finishing a well-worked move to edge the hosts in front at 36–34 with only minutes remaining.
The Sharks, however, had the final say.
From the restart, Sale secured possession and patiently worked their way into the Bristol 22. Showing composure and accuracy in the closing stages, Rob du Preez spotted Joe Bedlow in space and delivered a pinpoint pass for the centre to power over in the corner. Du Preez then nailed the touchline conversion to secure a deserved 41–36 victory.
