A lacklustre Bristol Bears performance saw them fall to a 36-20 defeat to a powerful Sale Sharks side, all-but ending their hopes of a top four Premiership finish.
George Ford’s boot produced 14 points in the first half as a try from man-of-the match Ben Curry saw the visitors take a 19-13 lead at half-time despite a well-taken try from Siva Naulago that kept the hosts in touch.
An error-strewn game saw the Sharks strike next when Jean Luc du-Preez crossed shortly after the break, before Gus Warr added to another Ford penalty when his try late on put the visitors out of sight.
