Two tries for Aussie ace Jason Little helped Gloucester to a hard-fought win
over Sale Sharks.
Victory may have come at a cost, though, with England prop Phil Vickery taken
off in a net collar and driven to hospital for a precautionary x-ray.
Sale captain Alex Sanderson, in his first game back after a five-month lay-off
through injury, also had to be helped off the field looking dazed and very
unsteady on his feet.
The two sides cancelled each other out in the first half, giving the
supporters precious little to cheer about.
But Sale full-back Jason Robinson managed to send a buzz around the stadium
with a couple of electrifying runs from deep in his own half.
Charlie Hodgson got Sale off the mark with a penalty after just one minute.
But just four minutes later the home defence was left exposed, and Little ran
clear to score.
Fly-halves Hodgson and Simon Mannix exchanged penalties, while Gloucester
found themselves having to battle that bit harder without Vickery and also Chris
Fortey who was sin-binned just before half-time.
Robinson had the crowd on its feet again four minutes into the second half
with a try under the posts after powerful runs from Sale centres Jos Baxendell
and Dan Harris.
Mannix pulled Gloucester back to within two points with a penalty and then put
them five points clear when he converted a second try for Little after 51
minutes.
A penalty each was added as the game picked up pace, and Mannix then extended
Gloucester's lead with another penalty with six minutes remaining.
In the final minute of the game Sale's replacement fly-half Niki Little missed
with a long-range penalty against the wind as Sale attempted to save at least
one bonus point.
Zurich man of the match: Jason Little.
Teams
Sale: Robinson, Elliott, Baxendell,
Harris, Davidson, Hodgson,
Hatley, Bell, Jackman, Thiel, Lines, Anglesea, Appleyard,
Morris, Sanderson.
Replacements: Little for Hodgson (73), Black for Bell (65),
Titterrell for Jackman (68), Baldwin for Anglesea (53),
Perelini for Appleyard (36).
Not Used: Knight, Deane.
Tries: Robinson.
Cons: Hodgson.
Pens: Hodgson 3.
Gloucester: Catling, Ewens,
Fanolua, Little, Simpson-Daniel,
Mannix, Gomarsall, Woodman, Fortey, Vickery, Fidler, I. Jones,
Boer, Hazell, Paramore.
Replacements: Todd for Ewens (64), Hayward for Mannix (80),
Djoudi for Fortey (73), Deacon for Vickery (17),
Eustace for Fidler (73), Ojomoh for Paramore (74).
Not Used: K. Jones.
Sin Bin: Fortey (32).
Tries: Little 2.
Cons: Mannix.
Pens: Mannix 4.
Att: 3,514
Ref: Robin Goodcliffe (RFU).
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