What happened?
After 78 minutes of gruelling work and mostly great rugby from the Cherry and Whites, they fell short at the final hurdle against Sale at Kingsholm for the first game of the New Year.
Gloucester Rugby’s work this week on the set piece was tested quickly, before a penalty awarded to Gloucester Rugby and easily slotted by Lloyd Evans gave the home side the lead in the 5th minute. With some truly great charges by Gloucester Rugby, including one from skipper Lewis Ludlow, Sale got to showcase the strength of their defence on the line.
Gloucester Rugby soon found themselves in hot water however in the sixteenth minute after a strong scrum from Sale and a big push forward. Earning themselves a penalty, allowing MacGuinty to level the score for the Sharks.
The Cherry and Whites continued their confident run with some textbook play following a line out, showcasing the strength of the set piece. Fraser Balmain touched the ball down to bring Gloucester Rugby five points clear.
Gloucester Rugby now continued to build momentum inside the Sale 22 as they demonstrated their flare in loose play, with a penalty being awarded against Sale by Dickson, and the other five minutes later.
Louis Rees-Zammit received the ball for a stunning try from Chris Harris on the wing, with the inside centre making the crucial break through the Sale line. However, with Gloucester Rugby giving away a couple of penalties at the breakdown just before half time, they needed to be careful.
Going into the second half 16-12 to Gloucester Rugby, Sale undoubtedly came out stronger. This was demonstrated by the close call on the Gloucester Rugby line in the 50th minute. Skivington will however be pleased with the progress made in the set piece, and a strong charge at the Sale line followed after a lineout from Gloucester Rugby.
The Cherry and White pack also demonstrated some wonderful play as they came 5m from the Sale line. Following a kick to the corner from Evans however, play broke down, leaving the Cherry and Whites disappointed that they didn’t convert that chance into five points. A penalty however was awarded to Gloucester Rugby right in front of the post, giving Evans the chance to further the lead, putting the home team in the lead 19-15 with ten minutes to go.
A big call was made from Karl Dickson, awarding Sale a penalty and ultimately changing the tide of the game. A lineout six metres from the Gloucester Rugby line left the home side defence eroded as Sale pushed forward relentlessly. After some deliberation, a try awarded to Sale under Josh Beaumont’s name tipped the game in favour of the visitors. AJ MacGuinty slotted the two points with ease brining the final score to 19-22. The whistle did not come before some drama however, as handbags resulted in a yellow card for Billy Twelvetrees showing the level of tension between the two closely matched sides.
Report by Charlotte Cutter.
Key Moment – Louis Rees-Zammit try
It was a break from Chris Harris who snaked his way up the pitch. The Scottish international then shipped the ball with perfection out to Louis Rees-Zammit who went over to score his first try of 2021.
What’s next?
Gloucester Rugby are back in action next weekend when they travel away to Newcastle for Round Six of the Gallagher Premiership.
Wow. It's all got a bit heated here. Twelvetrees is yellow carded after some handbags.
AJ MacGuinty slots the conversion.
Josh Beaumont awarded a try after the TMO checked it.
Seabrook is on.
Seville is on for Rapava-Ruskin.
LLOYD EVANS! He's got it over.
YES GLAWS! Some solid attack from the Cherry and Whites. Evans will have a shot at goal to extend Gloucester Rugby's lead.
Evans puts the ball to the corner.
Walker is on for Hanson.
Twelvetrees is on for Atkinson.
Nagle-Taylor is on for Ackermann.
Ford-Robinson is on for Balmain.
Sale have the scrum 5m from their own line.
Craig is off. On comes Garvey.
Ludlow returns from the bin.
AJ MacGuinty slots a penalty for Sale.
Perfect box kick! The ball stayed just in and a Sale hand put it in touch. Gloucester Rugby lineout.
Venner is on for Varney.
Ludlow has been sin binned for not being 10m back at the previous penalty.
Sale have the penalty though.
A potential try for Sale but it looks like he's in touch on the screens...
They clear to touch and the Cherry and Whites will have the lineout in the Sale half.
Good defence from the Cherry and Whites. They win the lineout and Varney exits with a box kick.
AJ MacGuinty slots a penalty for the visitors.
They're firing on all cylinders.
We're back underway for the second half.
AJ MacGuinty kicks a penalty for Gloucester Rugby. The Cherry and Whites were penalised at the breakdown.
What a TRY!!! Chris Harris made a break and got the ball wide to Louis Rees-Zammit who gets over to score.
There were told not to go in at the breakdown but they did so Gloucester Rugby get the penalty!
Lloyd Evans slots the kick.
Jono Ross has been yellow carded for the no arms tackle.
No arms and offside. Evans chooses the spot closer to the goals. TMO taking at look at the tackle...
Jono Ross patted Balmain of the head and he's been penalised for it. Evans fires the ball into touch and it will be a Cherry and White lineout.
AJ MacGuinty slots the penalty. Referee Karl Dickson not happy with Gloucester Rugby at the breakdown.
TRY! Solid work at the lineout from Gloucester Rugby! Fraser Balmain gets over for the try!
Evans goes for the corner! Big decision. Important lineout to follow.
That's it! Some great work rate in defence. Gloucester Rugby force the kick and will have the scrum on the Sale 22.
AJ MacGinty slots the penalty to make it even.
Gloucester Rugby penalised for being off their feet at the breakdown. Some solid defence but Sale have a chance to equal the scores.
A few players are getting some treatment.
Sale kick it out on the full. Gloucester Rugby get the lineout just inside the Sale half. Come on boys!
Some good attack from the Cherry and Whites. Mark Atkinson and Ruan Ackermann carrying with real force and might. The ball spills forward though so Sale have the scrum.
Gloucester Rugby will have the lineout on the Sale 10m line.
Good work from the visitors at the maul. They win the scrum inside their own 22.
Blocking from Sale. Evans kicks the ball to touch and gives his side the lineout.
A strong maul and Gloucester Rugby are inching their way into the Sale 22.
Lloyd Evans slots the penalty! Yes Glaws.
Sale off their feet at the breakdown. Lloyd Evans lines up a shot at goal around 35m out.
Good pressure from the Sale scrum half. The Gloucester Rugby kick goes long and Sale get the 22 drop out.
Good play from Gloucester Rugby. Stephen Varney put in a clever box kick and Sale knock the ball on. Gloucester Rugby win the free kick at the scrum and opt to go again.
Lloyd Evans kicks us off!
10 minutes until kick off! Come on Glaws!
George Skivington spoke to the media ahead of the fixture today. Here's what he had to say!
Happy New Year! We are all set at a chilly Kingsholm and are ready to host Sale Sharks in Round Five of the Gallagher Premiership.