By Duncan Wood
June 2 2002

The Bristol U21s, captained by Richard Skuse (left), were pushed all the way by the Sale Jets. However, with the wind at their backs in the second half they had just enough in the locker to win 36-23.

The Shoguns U21s had to dig deep to see off the challenge of one of the best U21s teams in the league. Sale Jets pushed them all the way to the end.

Bristol would have been delighted with the opening quarter when tries from Will Kershaw Naylor and Rhys Oakley gave them a 10-3 lead after 20 minutes despite playing into a stiff breeze. A sizzling break by Owen Evans went unrewarded when his scoring pass was intercepted.

However, Sale used the elements cleverly to gain territory and pinned Bristol back in their own 22. They were rewarded with a good score on the half hour when one of the Sale centres made a break on the 22 and powered over.

Bristol's discipline then started to waver and Sale were able to edge in front with two penalties. Bristol would have been disappointed to let the lead slip but they knew they had the elements at their backs in the 2nd half.

They struck immediately with a try from close range for Nathan Bressington after good work by the forwards but Sale hadn't given up and scored a close range try of their own after Bristol gave up several penalties in their own 22.

19-23 and it was quite tense but Bristol kept their cool and kept their shape and drove Sale back. As the game wore on Bristol carved open the Sale defence and openings were created for Rob Higgitt and Jon Clarke (2).

Sale weren't out of it until the final score and they deserve credit for their 100% commitment. However, the U21s now have a Twickenham date just like the first XV which promises to be quite a day!