Gloucester edge past Sale in Prem Rugby Cup
Gloucester's only two wins this season have come in the Prem Rugby Cup
- Published
Prem Rugby Cup
Sale Sharks (14) 28
Tries: Wilson, Roberts, Harper, Thomas Cons: Curtis 4
Gloucester (21) 29
Tries: James 2, Cotgreave, Trenholm Cons: Barton 3 Pens: Barton
Gloucester extended their lead at the top of Group A in the Prem Rugby Cup with a hard-earned one-point win away to Sale Sharks.
With the game tied at 21-21 with only 10 minutes to go, a George Barton penalty and a try from forward Caio James put the visitors eight points ahead and on course for a bonus-point victory.
Sale replacement Nye Thomas dived over from the final play of the game and Tom Curtis converted to ensure the hosts claimed two points.
Gloucester were never behind and earlier had tries from James, Jack Cotgreave and Will Trenholm.
But each time Sale had fought back to level, with scores from Toby Wilson, Osian Roberts and James Harper.
The result means Gloucester are now four points clear of their opponents after three rounds of matches in the competition, with the top two in each five-team group advancing to the semi-finals.
Their form in this tournament contrasts with their start in the Prem, where they have lost all five of their games and sit ninth in the table - two places below Sale, who had suffered consecutive league losses on the road coming into this match.
However, both sides went for youthful line-ups that only contained two starters from their last league outing, and it was Gloucester who struck first through teenage Welsh forward James.
Sale responded as Wilson touched down, only for winger Cotgreave to score his side's second try with Roberts again responding.
Trenholm's try gave the visitors the half-time lead but Harper crashed over in the second period to level the score for a third time.
But Barton showed a wise head to kick his team ahead late on, with James' second try shortly afterwards ultimately proving to be decisive.
Sale Sharks: Davies; Ene, Roberts, Wilson, Wills; Curtis, Hanson; Onasanya, Caine, Harper, Hogg, Burrow, Kelly, Woodman, Gilmore.
Replacements: Longstaff, McEachran, Bell, Hodkinson, Davies, Thomas, Bradshaw, Logan.
Gloucester: Redshaw; Hathaway, W Knight, M Knight, Cotgreave; Barton, Austin; McArthur, Freeman-Price, Wright, Stevens, Gwynne, James, Taylor, Trenholm.
Replacements: Knowles, Alexander, Minnis, Allport, Gilbert, Price, Butler, Morris.
Referee: Sara Cox