Bath are just one game away from their first trophy in 10 years after they defeated Sale Sharks 36-14 at the Rec in their European Challenge Cup semi-final.

Steve Meehan's side now face fellow Guinness Premiership side Worcester in the final.

The hosts used an expansive style to cut holes in the Sale defence and score five tries.

Sale led 21-14 after 23 minutes but the next score did not come until the 58th minute when Andy Higgins sprinted away for the key try after Michael Lipman had kicked ahead after an uncharacteristic drop by All Black Luke McAlister on halfway.

However, it was Bath's play in the opening stages of the game that would have impressed the watching Martin Johnson, recently appointed team manager of England.

Bath's first try came in the fourth minute when scrum-half Michael Claassens took advantage of a fotunate bounce after Charlie Hodgson had been charged down.

The hosts went 17-3 ahead when openside Lipman went over to finish off a spell of pressure.

But Sale hit back with a controversial try. After giving away a penalty under the posts, Bath captain Steve Borthwick was told by the referee to talk with his players.

With the Bath players gathered in a group, the ref allowed Hodgson to take the penalty quickly and the fly-half kicked to the corner for Chris Mayor to score.

The controversial touch down made it 17-11 and a booming penalty from McAlister closed the gap further, before Bath again moved the ball impressively into Sale's 22 for Danny Grewcock to go over for another score.

The pattern of the game changed as both defences tightened up, but it was always Bath who were looking the more dangerous.

However, it took McAlister's mistake in the second-half for them to get the fourth try which gave them the comfort zone they needed.

The match was wrapped up in the 66th minute when a chip from Butch James saw Matt Banahan score in the corner.

Seán Fay / Eurosport