Greig Laidlaw kicks four penalties as Gloucester edge past Sale
Last Updated: 29/04/16 11:59pm
Greig Laidlaw kicked a late penalty as Gloucester inflicted serious damage on Sale's hopes of finishing in the top six of the Aviva Premiership, with a 12-11 victory at the AJ Bell Stadium.
Although Sale grabbed the only try of the match midday through the second half, it was Laidlaw's four successful kicks which dealt the Sharks their first home defeat in the league this season. The victory was also Gloucester's first in the league at Sale for 15 years.
The sides swapped a brace of penalties before the break with Sale's Danny Cipriani matching the exploits of Laidlaw who had replaced the injured James Hook at No 10.
Johnny Leota's try appeared to give Sale some breathing space, as he touched down following a spell of home pressure.
But Laidlaw's successful kicks in the 70th and 78th minutes proved decisive and dealt a major blow to Sale's European Champions Cup ambitions.
Mark Atkinson, a late replacement for the ill Tom Marshall, and Matt Kvesic were particularly prominent and Gloucester were rewarded for their bright start with a Laidlaw penalty.
Sale looked to hit back through some positive play of their own. Sam James made a significant incursion into opposition territory and Cameron Neild did excellently to send Leota on a charge - only for both moves to break down.
The Sharks did manage to level matters following a penalty at the breakdown while excellent defensive work kept the visitors in the game.
Laidlaw and Cipriani added further penalties before the break, with the Cherry and Whites controlling territory early in the second half, but they were unable to benefit on the scoreboard and it was to prove costly when the home team scored the only try.
For arguably the only time in the match, the hosts held on to the ball through a number of phases and moved play intelligently down the left-hand side.
The Sharks got to within inches of the line and, after several players had attempted to touch down from close range, Leota eventually powered across the whitewash.
But back came Gloucester with a third Laidlaw kick reducing the deficit to two points, and two minutes from the end they sneaked ahead for a third and final time, moving one point clear of their disappointed opponents.
