The History Boys

3/10/2008

Sale Sharks.........23
Gloucester.............9

SHARKS had plenty of reasons to celebrate on Friday after recording their fourth win of the season against Gloucester.

Sharks claimed the league top spot and made Premiership history with their 23-9 victory at Edgeley Park, Gloucester the fourth team to fail to cross the tryline against them in consecutive league games.

As an added bonus for fans, not as thrilled by immaculate defence as by tries, Sharks crossed the whitewash twice.

Stand-in captain Sebastien Chabal scored the first touchdown under the posts, surging through to cap a fine performance by the French number eight, early in the second half.

Winger David Doherty claimed his debut try for Sale 10 minutes from time, after a great break from centre Luke McAlister.

The first half of the match had ended level on 6-6 after McAlister and Olly Barkley traded penalties.

But there were signs of the attacking threat to come, Sharks backs exposing some weak spots in Gloucester’s defence.

Sale’s patience paid off after the break, when Sharks ended the two-game try drought in style.

Despite losing full-back Rory Lamont to the sin-bin after a tackle in the air on Mike Tindall, Sale only conceded three points, scored by Barkley, after the break.