Bristol Bears continued their impressive form at Ashton Gate with a run out 16-10 winners over Sale Sharks.
Ioan Lloyd scored Bristol's only try of the game, with Callum Sheedy kicking 11 points.
Bristol Bears writer John Evely takes a closer look at the individual performances in the victory.
15. Charles Piutau - 8
Bristol are doing excellently at getting their star man as involved as often as possible with the full back carrying the ball a game high 20 times as the two sides played kick tennis for large sections of the match. The former All Black made huge yards when he did kick, with just one effort going astray straight into touch, and when he did run he of course made ground, finishing with a game high 106 metres ran back, five defenders beaten and two offloads.
14. Luke Morahan - 7
The Australian had a quiet night, touching the ball just three times. He worked had chasing long positional kicks to get everyone on side.
13. Piers O’Conor - 7
Not the most eye-catching display from O’Conor but he worked hard in defence making all six of his tackles.
12. Siale Piutau - 8
The Tongan centre looked really sharp with ball in hand as he displayed his power in attack for fire into the Sale ranks. Did well against the powerful Rohan Janse Van Rensburg who was generally well marshalled.
11. Luke Daniels - 7
The winger showed a stunning turn of pace to create a try scoring chance in the second half. He got the ball in the wide channel, grubbered through and then took off a like a bullet, winning the race to the bouncing ball and then hacking on again. Unfortunately the second touch was too heavy and the ball went into touch. Injured his shoulder making a tackle in the second half and set for a spell on the sidelines.
10. Callum Sheedy - 8
The fly-half was named the official man of the match after finishing with an 11 point haul, kicking three penalties and a conversion, with just one miss. If Bristol are to play this type of high pressure, territory game they have to have a man on the park who can nail his kicks and Sheedy proved that area of his game is up to scratch.
He used a variety of tactical positional kicks to pin Sale back into their half, finding gaps in a well guarded back-field.
9. Andy Uren - 7
The scrum half was at the centre of the kicking game as he launch high bombs up into the air. It might not have been pretty but he was disciplined and stuck to the game plan which shows a good maturity.
1. Jake Woolmore - 7
The prop has really earned his place in the starting side now and he put in another powerful performance against a big Sale pack.
2. Shaun Malton - 8
The hooker had one of his best games in a Bears shirt. His lineout throwing was excellent but it was the former Exeter man’s work in the loose which caught the eye, cleaning up dangerous bouncing ball situations and then making yards.
3. John Afoa - 8
The ageless prop anchored the scrum, made more tackles than any other Bear, 15, and won vital eye-catching turnovers. What can’t he do?
4. Dave Attwood - 7
The second row made an impact after coming back into the starting side and was a vital physical force against the big Sale side.
5. Chris Vui - 6
The Samoan second row carried hard, and used his mobility and football to swivel and spin to bounce out of the first attempted tackle on more than one occasion. Yellow carded late in the second half which could have cost Bristol the game.
6. Steven Luatua - 7
The flanker made intelligent decisions time and time again, whether that be to give a pass or hold on in the tough conditions and make a carry.
7. Jake Heenan - 8
The New Zealander had perhaps his best game for the club. Pat Lam drew him out for praise after the match saying he looked back to his best. The openside made 12 tackles and put in some dynamic ruck clearing to give Andy Uren quick ball.
8. Nathan Hughes - 7
The number eight worked hard to get over the gainline but with the torrential rain falling throughout, the game was played in the tight, so metres were hard to come by. He finished with 21 in attack from seven carries. Replaced early in the second half by Dan Thomas.
Replacements: 16. Harry Thacker - 7, 17. Yann Thomas - 6, 18. Max Lahiff - 6, 19. Ed Holmes - 6, 20. Dan Thomas - 6, 21. Harry Randall - 8, 22. Ioan Lloyd - 9, 23. Will Hurrell - 6.
