Sale were smarting from a narrow loss at second-placed Leicester Tigers seven days earlier and began with a spring in their step. An early Ford penalty had the hosts in front and their attack had been threatening to break through Bristol's defensive line, but it took until the 23rd minute for the first try. Wave after wave of attacks had been repelled but the Sharks eventually worked the space for Ben Curry to send over number eight Du Preez in the corner. The visitors had spent little time in the opposition half, but showed exactly what they are about with a brilliant opportunist score from Randall. The 27-year-old scrum-half spotted a gap between two forwards and a burst of pace and a superb line took him over for the try, a reminder of why he will be in contention to start England's Tests in Argentina and USA this summer. But it was an isolated moment in a half dominated by Alex Sanderson's side as after another three points from Ford, more pressure ended with Irish hooker McElroy burrowing over.