Cherry & Whites storm to bonus-point win over Sale Sharks

Gloucester Rugby hosted Sale Sharks in round 7 of the PREM Rugby Cup, securing all five points in a 47-12 victory at Kingsholm.

The Cherry & Whites opened the scoring just inside 10 minutes. After a strong carry from Mati Alemanno, the Argentine lock offloaded the ball out of the tackle to give Gloucester the overlap. Quick hand through Rapava-Ruskin and Charlie Atkinson sent Ben Redshaw racing into the corner to score. Atkinson’s conversion was just wide. [5-0]

With Nathan Jibulu in the sin-bin after he was penalised for a tip-tackle on Ollie Thorley, the Cherry & Whites took advantage of the extra man. It was the neat hands once more that unlocked the Sharks defence as Trenholm delivered an inside pass to Englefield before the scrum half set Seb Blake free who had the speed to run in under the posts. Atkinson converted the try. [12-0]

On the stroke of half-time, the hosts had their third score. After an error in the back field from Sale, Gloucester had the chance to counter. After recycling the ball to the left wing, Seb Blake lifted a lovely offload in the tackle into the hands of an on-rushing Englefield who had his half-back partner Atkinson in support. Englefield drew in the last man and sent Atkinson over the try-line. The fly-half converted his own score. [19-0]

HALF TIME: GLOUCESTER RUGBY 19 – 0 SALE SHARKS

The Cherry & Whites started the second half promisingly, but their momentum was halted when Charlie Atkinson was shown a yellow card for a high tackle.

With the home side down to 14, much like Gloucester in the first half, Sale Sharks made the additional player count through Alex Wills who took advantage of an overlap to score in the corner. The conversion was missed by Rob du Preez. [19-5]

However, the Cherry & Whites hit straight back. Right off the kick-off, Danny Eite charged down Gus Warr’s box-kick and gathered the ball to score. Englefield conversion attempt was wide. [24-5] 

After Atkinson returned to the field, Gloucester turned the screw once more against their visitors. Camped deep in the Sharks 22, a brilliant short line from Will Trenholm secured the host fifth try of the night. Atkinson added the conversion. [31-5]

Moments later, Gloucester were gifted a score by their visitors. As Atkinson kicked deep, Aaron Reed fumbled the ball in the backfield and Ollie Thorley scooped up the loose ball and gave Ben Redshaw his second score of the night. Atkinson added the conversion. [38-5]

Sale pulled back just before the 70th minute, with Ethan Caine dotting down from a short-range carry with Tom Curtis adding the conversion. [38-12]

Josh Hathaway then finished the job for Gloucester with a delightful chip and chase score in front of the Shed. With next to no space to work with, the wing dropped the ball to first foot, put on the afterburners and collected the ball to score. Byrne's conversion attempt was unsuccessful.

Alex Wills had the final say of the night thought, scoring his second on the night for Sale on the stroke of full-time.

FULL TIME: GLOUCESTER RUGBY 43 - 17 SALE SHARKS