IF you can't beat them, get them to join you, as the famous saying almost goes.

Gloucester had never beaten Sale at Heywood Road until last weekend. They obviously thought that the best way to rectify this was to fill their team with former Sale players, and the plan worked a treat.

Simon Mannix, Chris Yates and Tom Beim all returned to inflict defeat on their old team mates, and Phil Greening was like an extra man for Gloucester after making his disgraceful comments in Saturday's Daily Express.

There was nothing wrong with his performance, but it was amazing that he had the nerve to take the field with the players he had disparaged. It can only have had a damaging effect on team morale, and it would be surprising to see him in a Sale shirt again.

Sale performed creditably against a strong and well organised Gloucester side. They attacked from the start, and Nicky Little put them into the lead with his second penalty attempt after five minutes.

Mannix started badly, with one misjudged pass forcing winger Chris Catling to kick out on the full. Another stray pass from the fly-half was intercepted by Greening, and a flowing move ended with Hanley charging for the corner. A try looked certain, but the big winger was adjudged to have put a foot in touch.

Gloucester made the most of the reprieve, and Mannix was the architect of their excellent first try. His reverse pass on the halfway line sent Chris Catling bursting through. His well-timed pass found Beim, and the former Sale favourite's pace did the rest. Mannix converted to put the visitors 5-3 ahead.

Sale were always fighting a losing battle, but they stayed in touch until half time. Mannix and Little exchanged penalties to make the score 6-10 after 20 minutes, but the Sharks only had themselves to blame for Gloucester's second try.

They were awarded a penalty, but the linesman spotted an infringement by Morris and the decision was reversed. From the ensuing line-out, Ian Jones carried the ball forward and Paramore was carried over to put Gloucester nine points ahead.

But Sale finished the half on a high, and after a period of pressure Anglesea sneaked in next to the posts. Little converted to leave Sale just two points adrift at half time.

Gloucester's class told in the second half, and the ex-Sale players came back to haunt the home team again. Mannix's sleight of hand was crucial once more, releasing Beim with a deft pass. The winger combined with Pearce before running under the posts. The conversion took the score to 13-25.

Sale had their chances late in the game, but they lacked the killer instinct. Mather and Manson-Bishop went close, but Mannix made the game safe with two more penalties.

Surely, Mr Greening went back to Gloucester more than happy with his day's work.

Sale Sharks: Mallinder, Moore, Baxendell, Mather, Hanley, Little, Turvey, Smith, Greening, Theron, Manson-Bishop, Fletcher, Sanderson, Morris, Anglesea

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.