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Bristol Post
Bristol Post
Sport
John Evely

41 stunning photos from Bristol Bears' draw with Sale Sharks

Have you caught your breath yet?

Bristol Bears drew 20-20 with Sale Sharks at Ashton Gate on Friday night in a game packed full of drama and controversy from start to finish.

Denny Solomona scored the opening try of the game for Sale when he picked off as pass from Callum Sheedy to run in from half way.

Bristol hit back with a score for Charles Piutau on his return to the first team since limping off the pitch against Northampton Saints back in March.

Callum Sheedy presents a shirt to the departing Jack Tovey (Rogan/JMP)

In the second half the Sharks came flying out the blocks and scored through star scrum-half Faf De Klerk but once again the Bears hit back, this time through winger Alapati Leiua who touched down in the corner despite the best efforts of the visiting defence but the TMO confirmed the Samoan winger had managed to touch the ball down just before landing in touch.

Bristol had the better of the territory, possession and scoring chances, and having gifted the visitors a 10 point lead early in the match drew level with Callum Sheedy penalty in the closing moments. But that was only after Leiua had a second try controversially scrubbed off when Sheedy was judged to have obstructed Chris Ashton from tackling the Bristol winger as the two players had an off the ball spat.

Pat Lam left frustrated and full of questions following Alapati Leiua's key disallowed try 

In the final minutes of the match Ian Madigan missed two long-range penalty kicks to win the game and then De Klerk hit the upright with a long-range strike of his own.

Here are a selection of photos from a match which will live long in the memory.

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