Gloucester claimed a hard-fought 19-17 victory against West Country rivals Bath in the Prem Rugby Cup amid terrible conditions at Kingsholm.
While battling the elements, the Cherry and Whites ran in three first-half tries through Josh Hathaway, Kealan Freeman-Price and Will Knight to remain top of Pool A.
In arguably worse conditions in Greater Manchester, Sale Sharks swept aside Exeter Chiefs to claim their second win of this season’s competition.
Sam Dugdale – who signed a new deal earlier in the day to stay at the club until 2028 – scored two tries as Sale fought off vicious gales brought on by Storm Claudia to clinch a 34-3 victory.
The results mean Gloucester move to 15 points while Sale leapfrog Bath into second in Pool A with their bonus-point win.
Bath opened the scoring after just two minutes when Sam Winters ran a good line before unselfishly setting up full-back Austin Emens to dive over.
After Gloucester prop Nepo Laulala was sent to the sin-bin for a high shot, the hosts levelled while down to 14 men when Hathaway scored in the right corner.
A strong leg drive from Ethan Staddon from close range put Bath back in front before tries from Gloucester hooker Freeman-Price and 18-year-old centre Knight saw the Cherry and Whites go seven points clear at the break.
In the second period, a loose ball ended with Will Butt setting up Tyler Offiah who closed the gap to two points with a good finish in the corner.
Fly-half James Linegar had the opportunity to kick Bath ahead but he hooked a penalty to the left from inside the opposition half with just over five minutes remaining as the home side held on for a narrow derby victory.
