Aviva Premiership round-up: Wasps thrash Newcastle, Bristol’s losing run continues
Bristol 13-31 Sale Sharks
Sale moved into the top half of the Aviva Premiership with a 31-13 win at basement side Bristol, whose misery was compounded by an injury to star back Gavin Henson
The Wales international was playing his second game of the campaign, having been out since the first day of the season due to a leg problem, but fell awkwardly on his shoulder after 12 minutes of his return and had to go off.
The Sharks grabbed a bonus-point win via first-half tries from wing Paolo Odogwu and full-back Mike Haley, with wing Byron McGuigan, replacement prop Eifion Lewis-Roberts and sub Tom Curry crossing in the second half.
McGuigan added two conversions and Dan Mugford booted one, against two Bristol penalties from fly-half Shane Geraghty and a try from wing David Lemi that Geraghty converted. However, the winning margin should have been more emphatic for Sale.
Wasps 31-6 Newcastle
Wasps maintained their remarkable home record but were not at their best in a 31-6 Aviva Premiership win over Newcastle at the Ricoh Arena.
It was the 14th triumph in succession at their Coventry ground with Wasps' last defeat there being back in December 2015 when Saracens were victorious.
Newcastle were the better side until the 17th minute, when Simon Hammersley's yellow card turned the game Wasps' way and ultimately proved crucial.
Hammersley's offence resulted in the concession of a penalty try which Jimmy Gopperth converted.
The outside half also scored two tries and Frank Halai one with Gopperth adding a penalty and three further conversions for a 21-point haul, while Mike Delany kicked two penalties for Newcastle.
Exeter 10-13 Bath
England international wing Semesa Rokoduguni scored a try eight minutes into injury time as Bath claimed a dramatic Aviva Premiership victory over west country rivals Exeter at Sandy Park.
Rokoduguni produced a brilliant finish with the game's final move, brushing off attempted tackles from Gareth Steenson and Olly Woodburn to enhance his claims of Test selection against South Africa on November 12.
Fly-half George Ford converted and kicked two penalties, edging Bath home 13-10.
Exeter have now gone five games without a win in all competitions, and a losing bonus point was scant consolation after lock Mitch Lees' try nine minutes from the end looked to have been enough.
Steenson kicked a penalty and conversion, while Ford atoned for two first-half penalty misses as Bath prevailed to remain in the Premiership's top three behind Saracens and Wasps.