Diamond sees value in every single point
SALE BOSS SAYS THIS SEASON WILL COME DOWN TO THE WIRE
SALE SHARKS NORTHAMPTON 18 13 SALE SHARKS chief Steve Diamond expects the Premiership relegation battle to go right to the wire after his side downed Northampton Saints 18-13 at the AJ Bell Stadium.
Winger Denny Solomona scored two tries in the win after Saints scrum-half Cobus Reinach had given his team the lead after just one minute.
Solomona struck either side of half-time, and had a try disallowed, to give Sharks the win, despite a second-half try by Saints replacement Ollie Sleightholme.
Though Sale moved off the bottom of the table to within two points of their opponents, Diamond believes the Sharks must play better if they are to avoid a late-season relegation scrap.
“The league is a different place than it has ever been,” said the director of rugby. “Coming up to Christmas time, you usually know who’s going down, but that’s probably not going to be the case until March or April this year.
“Every point counts so we’ll be going there hopefully to play better than we did.”
Sale started the match with two sets of brothers for the first time, with Sam and Luke James being joined by the du Preez brothers.
Jean-Luc made his debut for Sharks at No.8, while Rob kicked two penalties and a conversion to pull Sale away from their opponents.
Diamond said: “Jean-Luc showed what he was about with his carrying and Rob controlled the game pretty well. The more we play together and the more we train together, the more we’ll see from them.
“They’ve been in Manchester a week and they’re enjoying themselves, and the job in hand is to come for these eight league games and European games, and make a difference.” Saints took an early lead after Reinach collected Taqele Naiyaravoro’s pass, but fly-half James Grayson missed the conversion. After a lengthy stoppage due to Willgriff John’s injury, Sale winger Arron Reed had a try disallowed but Solomona crossed minutes later after being found by centre James O’Connor. Solomona thought he had added another after ghosting through the Saints defence, but Sharks captain Jono Ross was adjudged to have obstructed No.8 Teimana Harrison. Sleightholme tied the scores after half-time but Solomona added a second try from Sam James’ pass and Robert du Preez kicked Sale fur-
Reed had a good game. He got a little injury but he showed good gas and good feet Steve Diamond
ther ahead to see out the game, despite a late penalty by Grayson.
Teenager Reed was among those to impress throughout the game and received a standing ovation on his departure from the field just before the final whistle. “Reed had a good game,” Diamond added. “He got a little injury but he showed good gas and good feet.
“Shame he was thrown into touch at the end but he’s a great up-andcoming kid, and he’ll have loads of opportunities.”