The normally free-scoring Bristol Bears were stopped dead in their tracks by Sale Sharks on Friday night as the visitors produced a stunning 38-0 victory at Ashton Gate.

Bristol had high hopes of going top above West Country rivals Bath, but Sale did not allow them any time or space on the ball and Bears’ trademark running game hit the buffers. Scrum-half Raffi Quirke set the tone when he breached Bristol’s defence inside three minutes, and the Sharks never looked back. Tom Roebuck added a second try before half-time, then captain Ben Curry’s interception score sealed the deal midway through the third quarter, before Roebuck’s fellow wing Tom O’Flaherty secured a bonus point 14 minutes from time. Centre Rob du Preez kicked three penalties and three conversions, while fly-half George Ford dropped a goal as Sale’s statement win served notice of their title credentials.

READ MORE: Sale Sharks send shockwaves through the Premiership with 38-0 win at Bristol Bears

READ MORE: Sale Sharks send shockwaves through the Premiership with 38-0 win at Bristol Bears

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Bristol had collected a try-scoring bonus point in each of their last nine league games, equalling the Premiership record. Sale, in stark contrast, were without a point of any description on their Premiership travels this term, but those statistics were shredded on a spectacular night for Alex Sanderson’s team.

South West rugby writer John Evely takes a closer look at the individual performances from the Bristol players....

15. Rich Lane - 5

The full back tried his best to stop the breakaway score from Tom O’Flaherty but ended up getting turned inside and out and struggled to make an impact in attack.

14. Jack Bates - 6

Fresh from signing a new contract extension with the club on the back of some great form this season the winger was one of the few players to come out of the game with any credit in the bank as he found a way to stretch the visitors with a kick and chase the high-point, although he didn't have the pace to beat Ben Curry to the ball.

13. Kalaveti Ravouvou - 4

Coming off the back of his best performance for the club against Leicester Tigers he was completely shackled by Sale’s rush defence.

12. Benhard Janse van Rensburg - 5

With Sam Worsley providing less crisp delivery to him, the South African struggled to make a dent into the physical Sale backline.

11. Gabriel Ibitoye - 4

The winger limped off in the first half have only just passed a late fitness test to be involved. Pat Lam said post-match he was unable to hit top speed which was metaphorically true of most of his team.

10. Sam Worsley - 4

Handed his first start in the Gallagher Premiership the 21-year-old struggled under the intensity of the examination from the Sale defence as he was rushed into everything he did. The growing pains as he acclimatises to this level were agonising as the 13-season gulf in experience between him and the injured AJ MacGinty was clear to see in terms of running the attack.

9. Harry Randall - 4

The England international had an off day as he was constantly on the backfoot with Sale dominating at the scrum and disrupting at the ruck. The ‘zip, zip’ man also struggled to inject pace into the contest as Sale used every trick in the book to slow down the pace.

1. Jake Woolmore - 4

Brought into the starting line-up late in the day after England star Ellis Genge pulled out with back spasms, he leaked penalties at the scrum as the Sharks dominated that vital setpiece area.

2. Harry Thacker - 4

Promoted in the starting team having been on the bench for the last couple of weeks he failed to shine like normal against the sheer size and power of Sale’s giant pack.

3. Max Lahiff - 4

Back in the starting side having been forced to pull out late in the day at Welford Road with a toe injury he struggled against Bevan Rodd in the scrum.

4. James Dun - 5

The lock ran himself to a standstill trying to combat the power of the Sale pack with Jonny Hill excelling.

5. Joe Owen - 6

The young lock continues to be a revelation as he threatened to break out from deep on the wing on multiple occasions, sending defenders flying on his first real run. He also stole ball at the lineout.

6 Steven Luatua - 5

The former All Black struggled to influence the game against Sale’s star backrow pairing of the Curry brothers and gave away a silly blocking penalty as the Bears disciplined slipped to invite pressure on them.

7. Fitz Harding - 4

The skipper had a pull back pass picked off by Ben Curry for a try and got pinged trying to turn the ball over in his desperation to get his side back into the contest.

8. Viliame Mata - 4

The big number eight was repeatedly met by double tackles and sent backwards to hand the Sharks big defensive wins.

Replacements:

16. Gabriel Oghre - 5

17. Jake Woolmore - 5

18. George Kloska - 5

19, Jamie Hodgson - 5

20. Ben Grondona - 5

21. Kieran Marmion - 5

22. James Williams - 4

23. Benjamin Elizalde - 5