Storm-Surviving Rugby Drama at The Rec

Bath (21) 28
Tries: Arundell, Redpath, Obano, Ojomoh
Cons: Spencer 4/4

Sale Sharks (9) 16
Tries: Jibulu
Cons: Ford
Pens/Drop-goals: Ford (2 pens, 2 drop-goals)

Match Highlights

• First Half Fireworks: Bath exploded with three tries in 35 minutes through Arundell's blistering 60-meter sprint, Redpath's midfield magic, and Obano's maul dominance.
• Ford's Precision: The Sale fly-half kept Sharks in contention with two audacious 40-meter drop-goals in swirling winds.
• Defensive Marathon: Sale made 127 tackles, including a 22-phase goal-line stand, before Ojomoh's 77th-minute clincher.

Key Performances

• Henry Arundell: The £500k summer signing showcased England credentials with his third try in two games.
• Ben Spencer: Bath's captain orchestrated play masterfully, converting all four tries in monsoon conditions.
• Ernst van Rhyn: Sale's skipper received yellow for cynical foul, leaving Sharks short-handed during critical phase.

Weather Warfare

Torrential rain turned The Rec into a waterpark, with:

• 12 handling errors in first 20 minutes
• 23% lineout success rate for Sale
• 42% territory dominance for Bath despite elements

Injury Crisis

Bath lost three forwards (Ewels, Roux, Hill) to knee/ankle injuries, testing squad depth early in season.

Post-Match Reactions

Johann van Graan (Bath Coach):
"Surviving that deluge shows our championship mentality. When your fly-half lands kicks in this weather, you know you've got steel."

Alex Sanderson (Sale Director):
"That defensive shift deserved more. We'll turn these monsoon lessons into monsoon wins."

Teams

Bath XV:
De Glanville; Cokanasiga, Lawrence, Redpath, Arundell; Ojomoh, Spencer (c); Obano, Dunn, Stuart; Roux, Ewels; Hill, Pepper, Reid

Sale XV:
Carpenter; Roebuck, R. du Preez, Bedlow, O'Flaherty; Ford, Warr; Rodd, Jibulu, Opoku-Fordjour; Bamber, Andrews; Van Rhyn (c), B. Curry, Dugdale

What's Next?

Bath face Bristol Bears in West Country derby (Oct 10), while Sale host defending champions Saracens (Oct 11).