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Despite an early Rob du Preez red card, Sale Sharks held on to win as they narrowly defeated strugglers Gloucester at the AJ Bell Stadium.
A second-half fightback from the visitors showed no reward as an AJ MacGinty penalty 10 minutes from the end earned the hosts the victory.
A physical start saw the Sharks enjoy early attacking presence, however, the visitors withstood the pressure to avoid falling behind in the opening stages.
Sharks’ first try did come within the first 10 minutes when Faf de Klerk was on hand to run in unchallenged after an excellent solo break from du Preez which put the Cherry and Whites on the back foot.
The visitors almost responded immediately through Louis Rees-Zammit, when from a charge down, a grubber kick through bounced unkindly for the Welsh international as Sale escaped unharmed.
Gloucester’s breakthrough came soon after when Jonny May marked his 150th Cherry and Whites appearance with a try after 15 minutes.
A kick over the top from Ruan Ackermann was chased by the England international, who won the foot race and was able to touch down for an unconverted try.
The opening 20 minutes was played at an impressively high tempo, and minutes after scoring, Gloucester conceded when Arron Reed finished off a fine solo run.
The winger’s electric pace proved to be too much for the Cherry and Whites, who despite attempting multiple tackles, were unable to prevent Reed from diving over.
The games talking point occurred after 23 minutes when Sale were reduced to 14. Referee, Adam Leal, upon a TMO review, showed a red card to du Preez for a dangerous tip tackle on Val Rapava-Ruskin.
Sharks, as a result of the red, were forced into a tactical change which saw MacGinty replace Reed, and two minutes later, the hosts’ lead was reduced following George Barton’s penalty.
Sharks ended the half stronger and regained their seven-point lead two minutes after the restart when MacGinty’s penalty sailed through the posts.
The in-form fly-half then played a vital role in creating Sharks’ third try which was finished by Marland Yarde.
A weaving run from the USA international took Sale metres out, from which the ball was played into the hands of the supporting winger who was able to dive over. Despite the on-field decision being ‘No Try’, the try was awarded after a TMO review.
Sharks had done well to build a 14-point lead but that was erased in six minutes when two converted Gloucester tries levelled the game.
Santiago Carreras crossed first after exploiting a gap out wide in the Sale line before Willi Heinz raced clear unchallenged after being set up by Rees-Zammit’s inside pass.
The game was only level for a couple of minutes as Sale were awarded a penalty at a scrum, and MacGinty made no mistakes in restoring his sides lead with 10 minutes to go.
Gloucester looked to have snatched victory in the final five minutes when Mark Atkinson capitalised on a loose Sale pass to cross for the bonus point try.
However, upon another TMO review, the officials disallowed the try and instead brought play back for a Sale penalty at the breakdown, much to the relief of a nervy Sharks bench.
Sharks looked to have secured the bonus point in the last minute but were denied by a strong Gloucester defence who managed to hold the ball up over the line.
A fourth consecutive home win for Sale keeps them inside the top four in third, whilst a defeat for Gloucester sees them second from bottom, eight points ahead of last-placed Worcester Warriors.
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