Bristol Bears 19-17 Sale Sharks: Gallagher PREM result as Kalaveti Ravouvou completes the turnaround to send the hosts top

PREM / Regular

Ashton Gate Stadium / 02.01.2026

Bristol Bears

Finished

Sale Sharks

Tries

Conversions

Penalties

Drops

Live

Live Updates

All
Highlights

22:00

BEARS BATTLE PAST STUBBORN SHARKS TO GO TOP OF PREM

Bristol Bears went top of the PREM table after coming from behind to edge out Sale Sharks 19-17.

Pat Lam's side overturned a 17-7 deficit at Ashton Gate, where Kalaveti Ravouvou's late try snatched a dramatic victory.

The visitors struck first in the 18th minute, with Tom O'Flaherty darting down the right flank and dashing over the line.

Bristol got back on level terms just before half-time, as Joe Owen forced his way over the line.

Sale regained their advantage early in the second half when Ernst van Rhyn was awarded a try following a TMO review, after the skipper was initially deemed not to have grounded the ball.

George Ford, on his 200th Premiership appearance, stretched the lead to 17-7, though Matias Moroni reduced the hosts' deficit to five points when he dived over in the corner.

Bristol increased the pressure as the clock ticked down, leading to Rekeiti Ma'asi-White getting sent to the sin bin.

Playing against 14 men, Ravouvou cleverly evaded a couple of challenges to touch down under the posts, with Tom Jordan's conversion completing the turnaround and snatching victory for the hosts.

Image credit: Getty Images

21:50

WATCH: GENGE REACTION

Ellis Genge, Player of the Match, shares his thoughts immediately after Bristol's victory.

21:47

HOW TO WATCH LEEDS UNITED VS MANCHESTER UNITED

There's Premier League football to look forward to on TNT Sports this weekend.

Leeds and Man United go head to head in a battle of the Cross-Pennine rivals.

How to watch

Image credit: Getty Images

21:43

THE WINNING MOMENT

21:40

BRISTOL BOUNCE BACK TO GO TOP

With leaders Northampton Saints not in action until later this weekend, Bristol took full advantage to go top of the Premiership table.

However, it was not as straightforward as that sounds.

Fresh from three straight wins, Bristol were slow out of the blocks and fell behind as Sale made the stronger start.

The Sharks were without an away win this season, but had won on each of their three previous visits to Ashton Gate.

It looked like that streak would continue when they 17-7 to the good early in the second half.

However, Bristol went through the gears as time went on and, when Ma'asi-White was sent to the bin, they capitalised on their numerical advantage to snatch victory later on.

FULL-TIME

Bristol Bears 19-17 Sale Sharks

Image credit: Getty Images

78'

LATE SALE SURGE

The visitors are desperately trying to work their way up the pitch.

However, they cannot find a way through and are eventually penalised, giving their opponents possession back.

Can the hosts now see this out?

75'

SALE BACK TO FULL-STRENGTH

Ma'asi-White returns to the field after serving his 10 minutes in the bin.

Is it too late, though, for the visitors?

73'

TRY!!! BRISTOL BEARS 19-17 SALE SHARKS (RAVOUVOU)

The hosts lead for the first time today!

Bristol have been on top since their opponents went down to 14 men, and finally edge their noses in front.

Jordan leads the hosts' initial charge, but Ravouvou is the man of the moment.

The wing neatly jinks inside from the left, skipping past a couple of challenges, before touching down under the posts.

Jordan converts to put them in front.

Image credit: Getty Images

69'

CONNECT FOUR?

Sale have won on each of their last three Premiership visits to Ashton Gate.

Their concentration is being tested to the maximum here, as they look to see out a fourth straight victory.

65'

YELLOW CARD

The Bears have the momentum and, now, a numerical advantage.

Moroni leads their charge down the right.

As they push for the line, Ma'asi-White is penalised for not rolling away and, subsequently, sent to the bin.

60'

20 MINUTES REMAIN

This match is finely poised as we head into the final quarter.

Who will prevail in this one?

56'

TRY!!! BRISTOL BEARS 12-17 SALE SHARKS (MORONI)

The hosts are back in it!

Bristol respond well to falling 10 points behind, as Moroni dives over in the far corner.

However, Jordan cannot convert from a tight angle.

50'

PENALTY! BRISTOL BEARS 7-17 SALE SHARKS

The visitors extend their advantage as they are awarded a penalty, from which Ford makes no mistake.

48'

NO MORE ROAD RAGE?

Sale are yet to win away from home in the Premiership this season.

However, as things stand, they are just over half an hour away from ending that wait for that elusive victory.

45'

TRY!!! BRISTOL BEARS 7-14 SALE SHARKS (VAN RHYN)

The visitors are back in front!

The referee initially believes Van Rhyn has been held up as he stretches for the line.

However, following a TMO review, it is ruled the skipper grounded the ball when he crossed.

Ford converts from the right to put Sale seven points to the good once more.

Image credit: Getty Images

KICK-OFF

Off we go again at Ashton Gate!

20:35

HOW TO WATCH LEEDS UNITED VS MANCHESTER UNITED

We have a tasty Premier League clash coming up at Elland Road on Sunday.

The match will be streamed live on TNT Sports.

Full details

Image credit: Getty Images

HALF-TIME

Bristol Bears 7-7 Sale Sharks

Image credit: Getty Images

40+2'

TRY!!! BRISTOL BEARS 7-7 SALE SHARKS (OWEN)

The hosts level things up!

Bristol are not to be denied on this occasion, as their persistence finally pays off.

Following several pushes for the line, Owen manages to stretch over.

Jordan converts to square things up at the break.

Image credit: Getty Images

123