Gloucester Rugby ended a six-game losing streak across all competitions by clinching a thrilling 29-28 win away at Sale Sharks in Round Three of the PREM Rugby Cup. A youthful Gloucester side, featuring a mix of rising talents and a few key first-team regulars such as George Barton and Josh Hathaway, delivered a spirited performance at the CorpAcq Stadium.
The Cherry and Whites scored five tries with Welsh flanker Caio James touching down twice, alongside Jack Cotgreave and Will Trenholm, supported by crucial kicking from George Barton, who converted three tries and slotted a penalty. Sale Sharks fought hard, scoring four tries through Toby Wilson, Osian Roberts, James Harper, and late replacement Nye Thomas, with fly-half Tom Curtis converting all four.
Gloucester’s victory propelled them to the top of Pool A, with five group stage matches still to be played.
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The match started with Gloucester racing into a lead after just six minutes when James powered over in the corner, capitalizing on strong forward drives. Sale responded quickly, leveling through a driving maul try from centre Toby Wilson. Ben Redshaw, returning from injury, shone with a try-saving tackle and a clever assist that set up Cotgreave’s try on the wing.
Sale’s Osian Roberts powered through to score a try, keeping the Sharks in contention, but just before halftime, Will Trenholm extended Gloucester’s lead with a dynamic break culminating in a try, putting them 21-14 up at the interval.
In the second half, Sale’s prop James Harper scored a close-range try to even the scores. With ten minutes remaining, Barton’s penalty gave Gloucester a slender lead. The match seemed decided by Caio James’ powerful catch and drive maul try with four minutes left, but Sale secured two bonus points thanks to an 82nd-minute try by replacement Nye Thomas.
Gloucester now face reigning champions Bath at Kingsholm after a weekend’s rest, looking to build on this vital win in the PREM Rugby Cup.
Sale Sharks: Ollie Davies; Obi Ene, Osian Roberts, Toby Wilson, Alex Wills; Tom Curtis, Dom Hanson; Jos Gilmore, Tristan Woodman, Seb Kelly, Tom Burrow (c), Patrick Hogg, James Harper, Ethan Caine, Tumy Onasanya. Replacements: Alfie Longstaff, Ralph McEachran, Patreece Bell, Dylan Hodkinson, Huw Davies, Nye Thomas, Albert Bradshaw, Reuben Logan.
Gloucester Rugby: Ben Redshaw; Josh Hathaway, Will Knight, Max Knight, Jack Cotgreave; George Barton, Mikey Austin; Archie McArthur, Kealan Freeman-Price, Harry Wright, Freddie Stevens, Deian Gwynne, Caio James, Harry Taylor (c), Will Trenholm. Replacements: Kealan Freeman-Price, George Alexander, Ollie Minnis, Olly Allport, Jack Gilbert, Rhys Price, Will Butler, Jake Morris.
Referee: Sara Cox
Assistant Referees: Jamie Parr, Jamie Leahy