Gloucester (19) 68 Tries: R Lawson, S Lawson, Trinder 2, Sharples 3, Robinson, Simpson-Daniel 2 Cons: Robinson 7, Taylor 2 Sale (3) 17 Tries: Rouse, McMillan Cons: Hodgson 2 Pens: Hodgson
Charlie Sharples' hat-trick made it a forgettable final afternoon in Sale colours for Charlie Hodgson (second left)
Gloucester secured a play-off semi-final at Saracens and maintained their season-long unbeaten home Premiership record with a crushing win over Sale.
Tries by Rory and Scott Lawson and Henry Trinder gave the hosts a 19-3 half-time lead.
Gloucester cut loose after the break with tries by Trinder, Nicky Robinson James Simpson-Daniel, Dave Lewis and a Charlie Sharples hat-trick.
Sharks responded with tries by Neil Briggs and Neil McMillan.
The hosts started slowly and nearly conceded the opening try when poor defence allowed the Sharks intio their 22 but Nick Macleod's crucial pass went forward just a metre from the line.
There were 16 minutes gone before the Cherry and Whites opened their account when Simpson-Daniel capitalised on a turnover on halfway to provide for Rory Lawson.
After Robinson missed the extras Charlie Hodgson, in his last game fro Sale before joining Saracens in the summer, pulled his side to within two points with a penalty.
Scott Lawson's try from close range was converted by the Gloucester fly-half for a 12-3 lead on 25 minutes which was extended to 19-3 at the break when Trinder sauntered over after some poor Sale defending at a five-metre scrum.
Five minutes after the break ensured their play-off place with the try-bonus point when Sharples ended a three-quarters move from a driving line-out on the Sharks' 22.
Robinson converted Sharples' second moments later to leave the visitors 33-3 down.
But the Welshman gifted a try to Briggs when his pass was intercepted and the Sale hooker touched down and Hodgson converted.
It did little to deter Gloucester who were in irresistible form as Trinder grabbed his second, converted by Robinson, and then created Sharples' third.
Robinson added the extras and soon after scored himself when Sharples turned provider after beating two tackles.
McMillan pulled another back for Sale, which Hodgson again converted before being substituted to a round of applause from the Kingsholm crowd.
But the sentiment was not shared by the Gloucester team who went straight back to putting their visitors to the sword with Simpson-Daniel and Lewis's tries which Tim Taylor converted.
Head coach Bryan Redpath told BBC Radio Gloucestershire:
"The first half was a little edgy, I think we tried to force things a little bit too much and we were too individual.
"The key to today was when we got back into simple and direct play, created some phases and started running with purpose.
"The boys have been outstanding for nine months and credit to them for finishing it off well in front of a big crowd who have also been outstanding today and all season."
Sale's executive director Steve Diamond said: "In the second half we conceded seven tries and that's an indication of how far this club has dropped.
"Thirteen or 14 of them won't be at Sale next season and we didn't come down here with the right mindset. I expected it as that is what happens if you are not up for it and players don't show any self respect."
Gloucester: Voyce; Sharples, Trinder, Fuimaono-Sapolu, Simpson-Daniel; Robinson, R Lawson; Wood, S Lawson, Doran-Jones; Attwood, Brown; Strokosch, Qera, Narraway (capt).
Replacements: Vainikolo for Voyce (56), Taylor for Robinson (68), Lewis for R. Lawson (59), Dickinson for Wood (49), Dawidiuk for S. Lawson (54), Harden for Doran-Jones (59), Hamilton for Brown (54), Deacon for Qera (62).
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