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Rugby Union

Bath ease to 36-14 Challenge Cup win over Sale

26/04/2008

Olly Barkley inspired Bath to a 36-14 home victory against Sale Sharks in the Challenge Cup semi-final.

The Sharks travelled to Bath significantly under-strength, with Jason
White, Magnus Lund and Sebastien Chabal all missing from their back row, though they did take an early lead after Charlie Hodgson kicked a drop goal.

However, the hosts needed just three minutes to stamp their authority on the game, with Michael Claassens crossing over after some neat exchanges in the idle of the park.

Barkley duly converted before kicking a penalty, while Michael Lipman took advantage of a gap in the visitor's defence to race through to score a second try.

Sale refused to let their early errors get them down and their deficit was reduced when Hodgson sent a cross-field penalty into the welcoming arms of Chris Mayor who crossed over to make it 17-11.

A Danny Grewcock try then cancelled out an impressive penalty from Sale's Luke McCallister, giving Bath a 22-14 half time lead and their dominance continued after the break, with Andrew Higgins scoring a vital try to all but put his side through.

Though Sale kept pressing to the very end, Barkley's accurate kicking ensured that Bath's lead ultimately proved too much and the hosts held on to reach the final.