LONDON: Sale beat Bristol 41-27 to move above their play-off rivals into third place in the English Premiership on Friday.
Alex Sanderson´s side delivered a dominant first-half display as they stormed into a 20-5 lead.
Dan du Preez scored the hosts´ first try and, although the Bears responded with a fine individual effort from Harry Randall, Sale scored again before the break through Tadgh McElroy.
The second half turned into a free-scoring affair as Bristol crossed twice late on to secure a losing bonus point, but the defeat was a major setback to their play-off hopes.
Fifth-placed Gloucester kept their play-off bid alive with a 26-12 win over bottom club Newcastle at Kingston Park.
Ben Stevenson opened the scoring for Newcastle, but the visitors took the lead through a Chris Harris try.
Yellow cards for Newcastle duo Callum Chick and Cameron Neild allowed Gloucester to take charge as they scored a penalty try before Seb Atkinson crossed.
Harris was then sent to the sin bin minutes into the second half, with Jack Cotgreave securing the bonus point for Gloucester before Joe Davis replied for the hosts.
Newcastle´s hopes of a strong finish were dashed as Stevenson was shown red for an aerial challenge on Santi Carreras.
