Match Centre: Gallagher Premiership: Sale 24-10 Gloucester
Ben Curry was one of the try-scorer for Sale Sharks
©Steve Haag
Sale Sharks 24-10 Gloucester Rugby, Salford Stadium
Sale Sharks moved to the top as they sealed a 24-10 victory over Gloucester in the fourth round of the Gallagher Premiership at Salford Stadium on Friday.
This is third win for Sale in four games as they climb to the top of the table with 13 points while Gloucester are at sixth position.
George Barton had an opportunity to open the account early for Gloucester but his long range penalty goal drifted wide. He made amends in the 9th minute when he slotted a three-pointer.
Sale responded back in the 15th minute as Arron Reed raced in the corner for the opening try but George Ford on his return from England duty missed a conversion and a penalty goal as the score remained at 5-3.
As the break was approaching, Sale capitalised on a mistake from Jack Reeves as Gus Warr allowed Reed to complete his second try but this time Ford managed to land the conversion right as the teams completed the opening half with a 12-3 scorleine.
Sale extended the momentum into the second half as Ben Curry returning from a six-month injury dived from close range but once again Ford's kicking was off target. The bonus point for Sale came in the 69th minute as Agustin Creevy crashed over on his Sale debut with Ford's two-pointer extending their lead to 24-3.
Even though Freddie Thomas scored a consolation try for Gloucester in the end, it was Sale who went on to complete a 14 point victory to go to the top of the table.
Team line up:
Sale: S James; Roebuck, R du Preez, Bedlow, Reed; Ford, Warr; Rodd, Creevy, Schonert, Wiese, Hill, Van Rhyn, Dugdale, D du Preez.
Reserves: Langdon, McIntyre, Harper, Beaumont, B Curry, N Thomas, Ellis, Wills.
Gloucester: Morris; Reeves, Harris, Atkinson, Hearle; Barton, Chapman; Ford-Robinson, Singleton, Gotovtsev, Thomas, Clark, Tuisue, Donnell, Clement.
Reserves: Socino, Elrington, Knight, Jordan, Taylor, Young, Llewelyn, Hathaway
