GLOUCESTER-Hartpury recorded their third-successive win in the Premier 15s by taking away the maximum number of points from their trip to the North East.
Ellena Perry celebrated her England call-up this week with the first try of the match on five minutes, breaking clear through the middle to create the attack she would finish off a few phases later.
But Sharks were back on even terms shortly afterwards when they won a penalty at the breakdown to claim possession, and kick to the corner.
Fly-half Jess Dadds was able to cut a line through the Gloucester defence and had the pace to outrun the chasing tacklers to score under the posts. Cara Cookland landed the conversion.
In Kelly Smith, Gloucester have a wing with no shortage of pace either and from a Robyn Lock turnover Smith sprinted 40 metres to give the visitors the edge.
Charlie-Mai Manns, playing centre as opposed to fly-half, crossed over on the eve of half-time as Gloucester set up another attack from the scrum just two minutes after Smith's effort.
Aided by their dominance at the breakdown, Gloucester-Hartpury kept on top of any forward momentum Sharks pushed for in the second half. And 15 minutes in the bonus point was secured for the visitors when Lock made a powerful break through the middle before passing to Connie Powell to finish.
There was no stopping Lock, who earned a deserved try in the closing stages to add to Ellie Underwood's score.
By AMY FULGHAM
