Sale Shark moved to the submit of the Premiership with a bonus-point 24-10 win over Gloucester at the AJ Bell Stadium.
Arron Reed scored two tries in the first half, with Ben Curry and Augustin Creevy adding two more in the second half while George Ford added two conversions on his return from the World Cup.
Gloucester struggled against the Sharks as their 10-point haul – through a Freddie Thomas try and George Barton’s penalty and conversion – was not enough to stop them tumbling to a second successive defeat.
On a wet night at the AJ Bell Stadium, Gloucester opened proceedings with a penalty as Barton slotted it between the posts in the 13th minute following an error-strewn spell for both sides due to the conditions.
Sale responded immediately to going three points down by scoring a try two minutes later, courtesy of Reed sliding in at the corner to score a try.
Upon his return to the Sharks side, Ford appeared to have left his shooting boots in France, as he missed the conversion to the try and followed this up with two penalty efforts wide of the mark.
Reed scored his second try of the game in the 34th minute following the failure of Gloucester to claim a high ball. The Sharks gathered the ball and worked it to the winger for him touch the ball down in the scoring zone.
Ford eventually found his range and placed the conversion straight through the posts, scoring his first points this season meaning Sale led 12-3 at the interval.
The second half started in a similar manner to the first as both teams struggled to play their rugby.
Returning for his first game following a lengthy injury layoff, Curry ignited Sale into action upon his introduction in the 51st minute as he would score their third try a minute later, extending their lead to 14 points.
Gloucester were denied a try in the 66th minute as they were held up across the try line due to a superb tackle by Sharks scrumhalf, Gus Warr.
Sharks drove their maul across the try line from a lineout for Creevy to score on his debut for the club and in the process secure a bonus point.
Ford would add two more points with a successful conversion attempt to bring the score to 24-3 on the 70th minute.
Gloucester scored their opening try in the 76th minute, which ultimately was a consolation, as Thomas ran the ball under the posts
That was the final action of the game, moving Sale Sharks to the top of the Premiership with the 24-20 win over Gloucester.
Scorers
Sale Sharks: Reed – try x2, Curry – try, Creevy – try Ford – con x2
Gloucester: Thomas – try Barton – pen, con
Featured Image: Brendan McGilligan
