Kalaveti Ravouvou and Viliame Mata’s Bristol Bears faced a difficult match today, suffering a heavy defeat against the Sale Sharks, who prevailed 38-0 in the English Premiership at Ashton Gate. This loss marks Bristol’s worst home defeat since they were defeated 39-0 by Saracens in September 2016.

Both Fijian players started the match for the Bears but were largely left frustrated as the game quickly turned in favor of the visitors. Sale’s Rob du Preez contributed significantly to the score with 15 points, as the Sharks effectively neutralized Bristol’s usually potent attack, resulting in the club’s most disappointing home performance in eight years.

The match began with a swift try from Raffi Quirke, who capitalized on a gap within the first two minutes, establishing the Sharks’ dominance early on. Following Quirke’s lead, Tom Roebuck added another try, with George Ford contributing a drop goal shortly thereafter.

After half-time, Ben Curry intercepted a Bristol pass to secure a third try for Sale, followed by Tom O’Flaherty, who showcased his skills by recovering a loose ball deep in Bristol’s half and sprinting for a fourth try, solidifying an outstanding performance by the Sharks.

This victory marks Sale’s first away win of the season and highlights their strong defensive play, allowing them to rise to third place in the Premiership table.

While this was a challenging outing for the Bristol Bears, there remains hope for their future matches as they regroup and seek to improve upon their performance. Fans and players alike can look forward to the potential for growth and stronger showings in the upcoming season.