Sale Sharks secured a dramatic 20-19 victory over Bath in their Premiership opener, with a last-gasp penalty from Kieran Wilkinson snatching the win after a spirited Bath comeback. The match, played under a murky Manchester sky, saw Danny Cipriani make his Bath debut but fail to inspire a winning start.
Sale dominated the first half, with tries from Akker van der Merwe and Byron McGuigan, plus a penalty from Rob Du Preez, giving them a 17-3 lead at the break. Bath struggled in the scrum and conceded 10 penalties in the first half, with Cipriani's only contribution being a penalty after Simon Hammersley was sin-binned.
Bath improved after halftime, with Cipriani kicking a long-range penalty before being replaced by Orlando Bailey on 51 minutes. The visitors fought back through a try from substitute Juan Schoeman, converted by Bailey, and further penalties from Bailey to take a 19-17 lead with minutes remaining.
However, Sale won a penalty in front of the posts in the dying moments, and Wilkinson converted to give his side a one-point lead. Bailey's last-ditch attempt from near halfway fell short, confirming the win for Sale.
The result leaves Bath with work to do, as their forwards struggled to provide the platform for Cipriani to shine. Sale, missing Faf de Klerk, showed strength and composure to secure the victory.
