Sharks tough it out
Sale's impressive start to the season continued as they held off a spirited fightback from Gloucester.
Last Updated: 08/10/11 5:27pm
Sale's impressive start to the season continued as they held off a spirited fightback from Gloucester to claim their fourth win from six Aviva Premiership outings.
Sharks skipper David Seymour crashed over the line in the first half and a conversion and a penalty from fly-half Nick MacLeod helped the hosts into a 10-0 half-time lead at a soaking Edgeley Park.
But two penalties from Tim Taylor got Gloucester off the mark after the restart and a late try from centre Henry Trinder, which Taylor failed to convert, set up a grandstand finish.
After a bright start from the Gloucester forwards, Sale had the first chance to get off the mark in the fifth minute, but MacLeod saw a penalty from inside his own half fall just short.
Nevertheless, the pendulum soon swung in Sale's favour and a superb kick from wing Joaquin Tuculet gave them the field position to pressure Gloucester's line.
That told in the 15th minute when Sam Tuitupou drove at the heart of the Gloucester defence from deep inside the 22.
His progress was halted but he regained possession and slipped a pass into Seymour to crash over from close range for a try which MacLeod converted.
Neither side was able to find much fluency before half-time as try-scoring opportunities remained few and far between.
MacLeod chipped a teasing kick into the left corner shortly before the break and Gloucester full-back Olly Morgan dealt with the danger, only to slide into the advertising hoardings and sustain a hand injury.
He was immediately replaced by Freddie Burns, but moments later MacLeod kicked a penalty to put Sale 10-0 up at the break.
Taylor then kicked a penalty to get Gloucester up and running two minutes after the restart before Sale forward Henry Thomas was sinbinned and Taylor kicked his second penalty.
MacLeod kicked a penalty for Sale on the hour but nine minutes later Gloucester fashioned a well-worked score for Trinder, who burst clear inside the left channel.
However, Taylor could not convert and Sale held on during a tense finale to maintain their fine start to the campaign.
