Sale Sharks pay the penalty and lose to Gloucester at the AJ Bell Stadium

Greig Laidlaw kicked 16 points to help Gloucester overcome Sale as the Sharks literally paid the penalty for mistakes, infringements and sloppy play.   It was a frustrating time for the fans, players and for Steve Diamond, director of rugby at Sale who said the team’s performance was “second-best by a country-mile.”

Tries from John Afoa and Charlie Sharples, as well as seven points from the boot of Laidlaw, put Gloucester 17-8 up at the break.

Sale hit back as Sam James grabbed a try and a Will Addison kicked a penalty, and Cameron Neild’s second-half try gave Sale  some hope, but then they gave away three soft penalties and  Laidlaw made sure of the points for Gloucester’s first win of the season.

A fine supporting run from tight-head prop Afoa following a Billy Burns break gave the visitors the ideal start.

Sale’s injury hoodoo continues as they lost Dan Mugford  in the second half and Mike Phillips had to move up from scrum half to replace him as fly-half, with Peter Stringer coming on.

Sale applied intense  pressure  after the interval, and Gloucester’s resistance eventually crumbled under the power of a  maul as Cameron Neild touched down.

But Sale’s inability to capitalise and show momentum for a second half comeback  cost them dear, as they made errors making knock-ons and giving  away needless penalties.

It is something they must work on if they have any thoughts of a top four finish this season. It was a disappointing night for all concerned with Sale Sharks.