Finn Russell tries to put a bit of daylight between Bath and Sale on the scoreboard with a drop-goal attempt.

He has gone from a long way out, and the kick lands just short.

What an audacious effort.

Jean-Luc du Preez takes no prisoners with his hit on Finn Russell.

The fly-half tries to keep play alive on the right, but as he goes to pop a pass out he is crunched by the South African.

Still, Bath keep hold of the ball.

Super kick from Russell.

We said it might come down to small margins.

It was a good decision there not to go for the corner.

Image source, Rex Features

Less than 15 minutes remain and Finn Russell has restored Bath's lead with his fourth penalty of the day.

Sale have gifted Bath the chance to reclaim the lead.

It's Agustin Creevy who is pinged at the ruck and hands Finn Russell the kick from the tee.

Bath again force their way into Sale's 22, and they have a line-out.

The hosts fail to make the most of the set-piece, with the ball knocked on in the maul

Sale's defence has had all the answers in the second half so far.

Sale hold firm, and a poor kick from Sale's Raffi Quirke hands Bath the scrum feed on the halfway line.

Pressure is slowly being built up by the hosts now.

You want one of your senior players to just calm things down here.

Russell will try to do that for Bath now.

They need to hold the ball for a few phases and play some straightforward ball-retention rugby. Russell thought differently and tries the Hail Mary pass.

There might be a whisper in his ear to just settle it down a bit from the coaches.

Bath are being gifted metres now with a succession of penalties.

This time it's Ted Hill who draws the foul. Bath are well set in Sale's 22.

The tempo of this game has just been cranked up.

Some brutal hits have been traded, and Beno Obano is the latest to try hammer through Sale's defensive line from deep for Bath.

He is caught high, and Bath kick for field position now.

Anon: Bath v Sale is a real clash of styles. The more creative ball in hand style running rugby of Bath vs the defensive, territory & set piece structured style of Sale. Each has their merits but a Northampton v Bath final certainly looks the more attractive spectacle.

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Russell throws a howler of a pass to Cokanasiga.

Sale then put it over the top and O’Flaherty wins the foot race and just manages to dot the ball down before he runs into the advertising boards.

Finn Russell doesn't miss these.

The Scotland international slots his third penalty of the afternoon and fourth kick of the day to put Bath back in the lead.

Bath look determined to immediately restore their lead.

They march forward with a succession on drives, but are held up over the line.

Eventually Sale's defence is pinged for a penalty, and Finn Russell will go for the posts...

Sale fans cheer parity being restored, but really reserve their biggest roar for Tom Curry as he comes off the bench.

The fit-again England international has had to wait a long time but he finally makes his first appearance of the season for Sale.

What a talent to be able to call on!

This is where Bath are going to be tested.

Bath really need to get going.

They need to get some territory and possession and put some pressure on Sale.

It's all square.

Bath are caught out at the scrum and give away yet another penalty.

George Ford makes the most of the chance, and lands his penalty.

It’s really interesting after half-time.

When a team has momentum before the break and both teams have been going hammer and tongs and then they come out after 15 minutes and there isn’t quite the same intensity and there are a few errors.

The scrum leads to a penalty and quick tap for Bath.

The hosts try to catch the Sharks out, but the visitors are well set.

Both sides then go on to trade kicks, and it's Sale now feeding a scrum near the halfway line.

It's shadow boxing sort of stuff early in the second half so far.