Bath book place in final

Apr 27 2008 by Our Correspondent, Wales On Sunday

BATH swept Sale aside to earn their third European Challenge Cup final place in five years – and they will be favourites against Mike Ruddock’s Worcester.

Bath will be looking for their first trophy in 10 years but the quality of their five-try performance against Sale also shows that the men from the West Country are heading for the Guinness Premiership play-offs next month in prime form.

With newly-appointed England manager Martin Johnson a spectator, the tie produced 36 points in 22 minutes, but Bath were always in control.

They ran in five tries, one each from Andrew Higgins, Matt Banahan, Michael Claassens, Danny Grewcock and Michael Lipman, Olly Barkley adding four conversions and a penalty.

Sale responded with a Chris Mayor try, Luke McAllister and Charlie Hodgson kicking the other points.