Sale upset Gloucester in first Premiership away win of the season

Sale Sharks recorded their first away win in the Gallagher Premiership this season as they defeated Gloucester 30-15 at Kingsholm.

Steve Diamond’s side were trailing 10-0 early in the encounter, but a fabulous attacking display saw them score four tries to overturn the deficit and climb into the top six of the Gallagher Premiership.

Sale had begun poorly with their indiscipline allowing Gloucester to enjoy the better of the opening exchanges.

Billy Twelvetrees was successful with an early penalty before hooker Jaco Visagie went over in the corner as Gloucester took a 10-0 lead.

The Sharks’ seemed to be wilting in what was a hostile atmosphere. However, they responded quite brilliantly as Chris Ashton instigated a first-half comeback.

First, he finished well after a break from Byron McGuigan to reduce the deficit to 10-7.

The England international then set up Sale’s second, breaking a couple of tackles before offloading to James O’Connor, with the Australian producing an excellent offload of his own to Faf de Klerk, who juggled but managed to hold on to score as Sale took the lead for the first time.

A fabulous try which silenced the rowdy home supporters.

Rob du Preez converted and then added a penalty on the stroke of half-time, as Sale held a 17-10 advantage at the interval.

You might have expected Gloucester – who were backed by a sold-out crowd – to come out firing in the second half. However, it was Sale who continued to dominate despite de Klerk being yellow carded for a deliberate knock on.

South African du Preez added a further three points, just after Lewis Ludlow had become the second man of the day to be sin-binned.

And minutes later Rob Webber scored the Sharks’ third try of the afternoon, going over after a driving maul.

Denny Solomona secured the all-important bonus point on the hour mark, dotting down after a brutal tackle from de Klerk had forced a turnover. The ever impressive scrum-half then supplying the try-scoring pass to the winger.

Fly-half du Preez was unable to convert both tries, but Sale were in total control at 30-10.

Gloucester did attempt to forge a fightback, but the Sharks’ defence held firm with only Matt Banahan’s late score giving the Kingsholm faithful something to shout about.

A 30-15 win for Sale and five points to take back to Salford ahead of Friday’s game against Saracens at the AJ Bell.