Sale's hopes of a play-off spot dented
Bath grab first home win since 18 March
The hosts had led 17-0 at the break
Sale's late tries move them up to fifth
FT: Bath 32-26 Sale
That's it then at the Rec, where Bath earned a bonus-point win but Sale's journey back up north will feel a little better that it would have done if it had not been for the final three minutes.
Their two late tries give them two precious points in defeat, but Bath avenged last Sunday's loss in the reverse fixture so it's well done to the hosts.
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Bath 32-26 Sale
Well, you wouldn't have seen that late Sale fightback coming, but they are delighted because, despite losing, those two points could be huge for them in the context of the race for Champions Cup qualification.
Bath 32-26 Sale
Have Sale got their crucial bonus point? They have the ball down under the posts but the officials aren't certain...yes they have got a fourth try! It's given. And that's significant in the battle for the top six. Brian Mujati is credited with the try under the posts. Joe Ford gets the conversion. Sale will lose by less than seven points.
Bath 32-19 Sale
David Wilson is given a fairly unnecessary last-minute yellow card. Sale have a penalty right in front of the post. They are going for a tap-and-go. They want a fourth, bonus-point try.
Bath 32-19 Sale
Sale aren't giving up yet though and TJ Ioane crosses in the corner as the visitors crush through the tackles. The angle is too tight for Danny Cipriani to convert, however.
The visitors look beaten now, after their rousing revival straight after half-time. The gap is now surely too large.
Bath 32-14 Sale
There's the win for Bath, there's the bonus point and there's an excellent individual try from Will Homer.
It is his first Premiership try and it comes after a terrific break down the right, using the blindside. George Ford's conversion makes it 32-14.
Bath are looking a bit more at ease now after earning that vital cushion. But there is still time for a Sale comeback and the visitors are giving it a go.
Bath 25-14 Sale
Relief for Bath! A big spell of pressure eventually leads to their third try and gives them some breathing space. Semesa Rokoduguni crosses in the corner, after his own skillful break had initially moved Bath deep into Sale territory.
George Ford misses what is a pretty tricky conversion from a tight angle, but the lead is now 11 points.
Bath 20-14 Sale
The hosts stop the Sale tide briefly and, down the other end, win a penalty after a great run for Ollie Devoto. George Ford opts to kick between the posts and Bath's lead moves to six points.
That 17-point lead seems a long time ago for Bath now, doesn't it? Sale have pegged them right back since the break. Sale almost score again through Sam James but play is stopped for a forward pass by Johnny Leota.
Bath 17-14 Sale
Sale think they have scored again. We go to the TMO to find out and....was that over....it's given!
Andrei Ostrikov is credited with the score after another Sale maul had powered towards the line. It's very similar to their first try, just moments ago.
The conversion is outstanding from Danny Cipriani. Simply outstanding, from right over by the touchline.
Image source, Getty ImagesBath 17-7 Sale
Hello! Do we have a game on our hands in this second half? It seems we do.
Sale win an attacking line-out in Bath's 22 soon after the break. They drive forward with a maul and Johnny Leota is there with a pick-and-go and Sale have a lifeline. Will the momentum now swing?
Danny Cipriani's conversion narrows the deficit.
Quote MessageI think this will be a big 10 to 15 minutes for Bath. Sale will be fired up and it's about stepping up and matching them.
Matt Garvey, Bath back row on BBC Radio Bristol
Bath 17-0 Sale
Sale's Danny Cipriani kicks us into action for the second half.
The players are back out for the second half. Can Sale respond, after their disappointing first 40 minutes?
HT: Bath 17-0 Sale
Meanwhile, the second half of the Champions Cup semi-final between Saracens and Wasps has just got going.
At the break, Saracens led 8-7. You can follow the remaining 40 minutes of that one by clicking here.
Quote MessageIt's been very pleasing. The frustrating thing for me is we have still left a few scores out there. Overall, 17-0 up, we would have taken that before the game. All season, we've shown in phases how could we can be.
Matt Garvey, Bath back row on BBC Radio Bristol
Bath 17-0 Sale
Sale have their best spell of the half right before the whistle, but Bath keep the visitors' pack at bay for long enough to see out the half. It's a deserved lead for Mike Ford's side.
Bath 17-0 Sale
Guy Mercer thinks he has scored Bath's third try and he runs away to celebrate but the referee signals for a very obvious forward pass. It'll be a scrum to Sale.