Jekyll and Hyde performance dogged Sale Sharks as Bath romp to victory at The Rec

Sale Sharks “Jekyll and Hyde” season continues after a poor performance at Bath, who won 30-3 at The Rec last night.

It was a disappointing night for all concerned as the Sharks failed to consolidate  and build on the momentum of the win over Leicester Tigers  last week.

Bath’s man-of-the-match Matt Banahan sliced through  the Sale defence  to claim his fourth try of the season in the third-minute as Bath took a 10-3 lead into the break.

Bath then struggled to breakthrough the Sale defence,  before Fotuali’i raced clear for Bath’s  second try and  Palma-Newport scored a try after a messy piece of play as Bath closed to within a point of leaders Wasps.

Sale’s robust response couldn’t conjure a try in the second half and they went down to a heavy defeat inflicted from the boot of Bath fly half George Ford who was in outstanding form off the tee.

Sale’s problems with consistency of performance  is having an affect on their long term ambitions of a Top Four finish this season. They must tighten up and cut out the infringements and not let team’s build a momentum in the game. The belief is there, and the energy levels are there, it’s just the whole team is misfiring at the moment.  Scarlets are up next – will it be Dr Jekyll or Mr Hyde turning out for Sale?

Bath: Homer; Rokoduguni, Joseph, Banahan, Brew; George Ford (co-capt), Fotuali’i; Catt, Dunn, Thomas, Stooke, Attwood, Garvey (co-capt), Ellis, Mercer.

Replacements: Batty, Auterac, Palma-Newport, Ewels, Mercer, Cook, Hastings, Williams.

Sale Sharks: McGuigan; Addison, James, Leota, Odogwu; MacGinty, Phillips; Lewis-Roberts, Briggs, Mujati, Evans, Mills, Neild, Seymour, Beaumont (capt).

Replacements: Harrison, Aulika, Ostrikov, Lund, Pearce, Mitchell, Mugford, Haley.