Classy Ben Spencer and Finn Russell take Bath into Premiership final after thrilling victory over Sale Sharks

Ben Spencer and Finn Russell once again showed their class as Bath reached the Premiership final following a 31-23 triumph over Sale Sharks.

The West Countrymen were much the better team in the opening 25 minutes, going 18-5 ahead through Ted Hill and Beno Obano tries, with Russell adding eight points off the tee.

Ben Curry provided Sale’s only response as they struggled in the first quarter, but they edged themselves into the match and were only three points in arrears at the interval.

Tommy Taylor touched down and George Ford kicked a penalty to give them hope before the fly-half levelled matters early in the second period.

Although Russell regained Bath’s advantage, Tom O’Flaherty crossed the whitewash to move the Sharks in front for the first time in the match.

However, the hosts remained calm, with their half-backs dominating proceedings, and Russell restored their lead via a penalty before Niall Annett’s try took them into the Premiership final.

Johann van Graan’s men will face Northampton Saints in the showpiece event after Phil Dowson’s charges overcame Saracens on Friday.

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There was no fairy-tale return to action for Sale and England flanker Tom Curry, who featured for 33 minutes off the bench on his first appearance since the World Cup after undergoing major hip surgery.

Bath took a fourth-minute lead after wing Joe Cokanasiga was obstructed chasing a Spencer kick, with Russell making no mistake from 25 metres out.

It was a confident start by the home side, and they extended their advantage just eight minutes later following a move started and finished by former Worcester forward Hill.

His initial surge into Sale territory did enough damage for Russell to then make a half-break before Spencer’s chip into space was gathered by Hill for a superbly worked try.

Sale needed something from the opening quarter, and they delivered from a first meaningful visit to Bath’s 22 when Ben Curry touched down after a powerful lineout drive.

Bath had been dominant until that point, but they quickly returned to the front-foot when wing Will Muir’s lengthy touch-finder gave them an imposing attacking platform.

And the Bath forwards did not disappoint, patiently going though phase-play before Obano claimed a try that Russell converted, making it 15-6.

Russell continued to move through his repertoire, booting a penalty from the halfway line, yet Sale struck again from a close-range lineout, with Taylor the latest beneficiary.

Ford converted from the touchline, and when he kicked a penalty shortly afterwards Sale were firmly back in contention, trailing by just three points at half-time.

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A 40-metre penalty by Ford levelled things up early in the second period, and Tom Curry entered the fray immediately afterwards.

Russell’s third successful penalty put Bath ahead again, yet Sale hit back immediately after an attack sparked by wing Tom Roebuck ended with O’Flaherty gathering Joe Carpenter’s kick and crossing wide out.

Sale were ahead for the first time, but another Russell edged Bath one pint in front with 14 minutes left as the tension began to crank up.

Russell drifted a penalty chance narrowly wide eight minutes from time, but Bath had territorial control as they chased one more score to kill the game off.

And it duly arrived after a driven lineout proved too much for Sale’s defence, with Annett touching down and Russell converting, setting up a Twickenham showdown with Saints.

The teams

Bath: 15 Matt Gallagher, 14 Joe Cokanasiga, 13 Ollie Lawrence, 12 Cameron Redpath, 11 Will Muir, 10 Finn Russell, 9 Ben Spencer (c), 8 Alfie Barbeary, 7 Sam Underhill, 6 Ted Hill, 5 Charlie Ewels, 4 Quinn Roux, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Tom Dunn, 1 Beno Obano
Replacements: 16 Niall Annett, 17 Juan Schoeman, 18 Will Stuart, 19 Elliott Stooke, 20 Josh Bayliss, 21 Louis Schreuder, 22 Orlando Bailey, 23 Miles Reid

Sale Sharks: 15 Joe Carpenter, 14 Tom Roebuck, 13 Sam James, 12 Rob du Preez, 11 Tom O’Flaherty, 10 George Ford, 9 Gus Warr, 8 Jean Luc du Preez, 7 Sam Dugdale, 6 Ben Curry (c), 5 Ernst van Rhyn, 4 Cobus Wiese, 3 James Harper, 2 Tommy Taylor, 1 Bevan Rodd
Replacements: 16 Agustin Creevy, 17 Simon McIntyre, 18 WillGriff John, 19 Ben Bamber, 20 Tom Ellis, 21 Raffi Quirke, 22 Luke James, 23 Tom Curry

Referee: Luke Pearce
Assistant Referees: Tom Foley, Sara Cox
TMO: Stuart Terheege

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