Gloucester still unbeaten

Gloucester have secured their fifth straight win in the Guinness Premiership, with two tries in two minutes from Leon Lloyd tipping the balance against Sale at Kingsholm.

Lloyd's brace at the start of the second half left the home side perfectly poised to record an eventual 31-12 win and maintain their status as the only unbeaten team in the league.

Nevertheless, Dean Ryan's side were left stunned after going behind after seven minutes, though Sale debutant Benoit Borrust also seemed surprised when presented with a clear run to the line.

With Sale having failed to make headway in a line-out drive, they instead released the young tighthead prop - with Gloucester simpy unable to pick Borrust up.

But Charlie Hodgson proved unable to exploit, Sale's fly-half missing the conversion, not to mention a subsequent drop goal and penalty inside the opening 15 minutes.

Instead, Gloucester gained territorial advantage, and once within range, opposite number Ryan Lamb kicked four out of five penalties to place his side 12-5 ahead.

The home side's powerful pack pressed for an opening try, but Sale held firm before - against the run of play - they instead scored their second when a Sililo Martens break was touched down by Oriol Ripol.

Hodgson this time found the target, but Gloucester pressed forward at the start of the second period - their remorselessness luring Sean Cox into foul which saw the lock sin-binned.

A penalty line-out resulted, with Lloyd taking advantage for his first, with the second coming soon afterwards after centres Anthony Allen and Mike Tindall drew in Sale's defence.

Restored to their full number, Sale pressed forward. However, a lengthy period of possession - and an overlap - was wasted because of a forward pass.

Instead, Gloucester scored their third try, with a punt forward from Lamb was taken on by Iain Balshaw before Olly Morgan touched down.

The home side pressed for a bonus-point score but, despite a pass from Allen almost setting up Balshaw, it was not forthcoming.