Gloucester Rugby just can’t catch a break at the moment. On Friday evening, they went toe to toe with one of the Gallagher Premiership’s in form teams and gave it everything only to see a couple of key moments swing the game the way of the visitors.
In difficult conditions at Kingsholm, there was very little to choose between the two teams and, although the Cherry and Whites battled for very last inch of territory, one or two key moments went Sale’s way and resulted in them taking the win.
Credit to the visitors, their defence was rock solid, Steve Diamond’s team are a very well drilled team. And, crucially, they made the most of the moments when Lady Luck smiled on them.
Johan Ackermann’s team battled their hearts out and there were some positive moments as they fought their way back into the game. They were backed by a tremendous Kingsholm crowd and almost pulled off a great comeback. But it wasn’t quite to be.
For nearly half an hour, it was an absolute arm wrestle with neither team able to gain the ascendancy. Rob du Preez opened the scoring with a 26th minute penalty, before the Sharks extended their lead in a fortuitous way.
A grubber kick hit a foot, looped in the air and then squirted loose. The ball was hacked on and Luke James touched down. The conversion was good and the Cherry and Whites were 0-10 down and chasing the game.
An error then led to Sale’s second try at the start of the second half. A dropped up and under led to a close-range lineout and Bryn Evans claimed the try.
Gloucester Rugby then got some reward for their efforts as Fraser Balmain forced his way over from close range. However, another error, this time a ball going loose in midfield saw Marland Yarde sprint over to extend the lead again.
The Cherry and Whites hit back, with some luck of their own this time, the ball hitting Matt Banahan in the face, ricocheting forward and Billy Twelvetrees scoring.
At 17-20, the Kingsholm crowd dared to dream, but a late du Preez penalty settled Sale nerves and clinched the 17-23 win.
Sale keep the ball and kick it out as soon as the clock goes red.
Another disappointing loss for the Cherry and Whites.
They opt for the scrum again. Come on Glaws!
They were looking so good but the ball has gone forward.
Chapman comes on to replace Braley.
Not long left on the clock now.
Todd Gleave and Alex Aeville con on for Franco Marais and Josh Hohneck.
They turn the ball over and end Gloucseter Rugby's momentum.
Gloucester Rugby attack with the penalty advantage but it doesn't lead to anything. The Cherry and Whites go to the corner again.
They attack well and are awarded a penalty. Evans drills to ball into the corner. Gloucester Rugby 5m lineout.
Sale extend their lead.
This time they will go for goal...
They were playing with the advantage and we now go back for the original penalty.
They go to the corner and will have a 5m lineout.
Balmain is off for Knight.
Sale have been playing well but the Gloucester Rugby defence has stayed watertight and not let anything through. Sale had an opportunity out wide but threw the ball into touch.
Danny Cipriani is replaced for Lloyd Evans. He recieves a massive round of applause.
He gets the conversion too!
Gloucester Rugby are back in this!
Cipriani fires the ball into Banahan's face. THe ball goes forward and Twelvetrees slides to collect it and dot it down under the sticks.
They have a 5m lineout!
Come on Glaws!!!
Alex Craig is on for Ed Slater. Good shift.
Matt Banahan is on for Tom Seabrook.
Kingsholm goes silent.
Marland Yarde intercepts the ball from GLoucester Rugby's hands and goes over to score.
Twelvetrees adds the extras.
Gloucester Rugby get over for the try! Balmain wrestles his way over from short range.
They are inches away!
Sale penalised at the maul and John is yellow carded.
5m lineout for the Cherry and Whites.
Gloucester Rugby try some risky moves in attack but the ball goes forward.
Sale win the scrum but kick the ball straight out, giving Gloucester Rugby the lineout back near the Shark's 22m line.
Mostert pinches the ball at the lineout and sets up a platform for the Cherry and Whites to attack.
He's done it! Twelvetrees slots the kick to put Gloucester Rugby on the board for the first time this evening.
Sale are blown at the breakdown so Twelvetrees lines up a shot at goal as he looks to get his side on the scoreboard.
Sale make an error which sees Gloucester Rugby take the ball back in the Sale 22.
Mostert carries well and the Cherry and Whites try and build some momentum.
Sale convert time in Gloucester Rugby's 5m line to a try. They've started this half very well.
Not rolling away.
These penalties are really harming the Cherry and Whites.
Sale have another 5m lineout.
Great effort over the ball from the Cherry and Whites. They clear the ball to touch giving Sale a lineout inside the 22.
Gloucester Rugby were put under a lot of pressure and had to resort to illegal methods of stopping the ball.
Sale will have a 5m lineout.
Gloucester Rugby and Sale Sharks take it in turns to kick the ball to each other.
The ball goes out so Sale will ahve a lineout on the halfway line.
We're underway for the second half here at Kingsholm.
Du Preez kicks us off and gets the game going.
Gloucester Rugby have had:
54% of possession
60% territory
58 tackles
Bring on the second half!
Gloucester Rugby go into the break 10 points down but are still very much in the game.
Johan Ackermann will have a word with the side and send them out ready for the second half.
Braley kicks the ball to touch and ends the half.
Gloucester Rugby rampaging forward.
Cipriani puts in a chip which is collected by Twelvetrees.
They are attacking well but so far the Sale defence is strong.
Cipriani finds touch beautifully. Sale have been pinned back into their own 22.
Braley was charged down but his side handle it well and regather the ball before clearing to touch.
Not long until half time now.
What a kick. Du Preez adds the extras.
Sale Sharks get their way over the try line out on the right wing. They have been attacking well and probably deserve to be ahead.
Twelvetrees' kick hits the crossbar but doesn't go over. What an effort though!
They win a penalty at the scrum and Twelvetrees will line up a monster kick at goal.
The home side have bounced back well and have the put in to the scrum on the half way line.
Sale get a reward for Gloucester Rugby's poor discipline.
This is getting silly. Gloucester Rugby are in real danger of recieving a yellow card now.
Gloucester Rugby are blown again...
Sale lineout 5m out...
Sale are making ground out wide and win a penalty after Gloucester Rugby make a high tackle.
Du Preez kicks the ball to touch and Sale will ahve a lineout 10m from the Cherry and White line.
Marais makes up for his knock-on earlier on by making a try-saving tackle.
Gloucester Rugby win the lineout and Cipriani finds touch with his clearance.
GLoucester Rugby with the same ill discipline which has plagued them all season.
Sale will have a 6m lineout.
Ohhh unlucky. Gloucester Rugby knock the ball on but Sale play the advantage and kick the ball down the field.
The CHerry and Whites win a penalty at the scrum. Cipriani fires the ball to touch and they will have the lineout on Sale's 22.
Sale look good in attack but they make the mistake of running into Mark Atkinson who halts the progress they were making.
THe away side knock the ball on so the Cherry and Whites will have the scrum inside their own half.
They have the penalty and will have the lineout just inside the Gloucester Rugby half.
Gloucester Rugby high tackle after Sale turned the ball over. Break in play as some players recieve treatment.
Ackermann collected the ball and ran on at pace. Great attack from the Cherry and Whites. They are making real ground.
Du Preez's kick at goal hits the post and Gloucester Rugby collect it and fire it down the pitch.
Blocking. Seems a bit harsh. Marshall collected the ball and made a break but Wayne Barnes blew his whistle and Sale will have a shot at the posts.
Gloucester Rugby win the ball at the lineout! Cipriani clears the ball and gives Sale the ball in these trick conditions.
They win a penalty and put an end to what has been a pretty dominant period for the Cherry and Whites.
Cipriani put in a little chip over the top but the ball has gone forward.
The Cherry and Whites are looking threatening in attack!
The Sharks manage to clear their lines.
However, Gloucester Rugby have the ball and have just broken into the Sale 22.
Gloucester Rugby pin Sale in their own half and force them to kick.
Seabrook snatches the ball from the air and offloads to Atkinson who grubbered the ball through. Cipriani almost collected it but wrestled the defender to touch.
They clear it but Marshall is there and claims it well. Gloucester Rugby in possession and Braley kicks it to the Sale side.
They have the ball but decide to hoof it down the pitch.
Seabrook makes a massive tackle and Sale knock the ball on giving the homeside the put in to the scrum inside the Sale half.
A clever move at the lineout from the away side. THey take the ball to their 10m line before box kicking it away.
The Cherry and Whites attack from the lineout well. However, the ball has gone to touch so Sale will have the lineout on their own 22m line.
A strong kick off from Gloucester Rugby. Sale clear the ball to touch and the Cherry and Whites have won the lineout.
They attack well and win a penalty with is booted to the corner.
What a start!
Here we go.
Danny Cipriani kicks us off.
Hello and welcome to a wet and windy Kingsholm. Gloucester Rugby host Sale Sharks in round 12 of the Gallagher Premiership and the Cherry and Whites will look to get their season back on track with a win against the team who sit second in the competition.
Kick-off is at 7:45pm and we are all set to keep you up to date with all the action.