Deacon’s Diamond geezers dig deep
PERHAPS Steve Diamond should be absent more often?
In the Sharks’ first league game since their director of rugby’s ban came into effect following his criticism of referee Craig Maxwell-Keys, Sale secured their first Premiership victory in four.
It was the not the most aesthetically pleasing contest you will ever see, with the wintry weather causing a number of spillages, but they showed plenty of grit in overcoming a muchchanged Northampton.
In truth, following the Saints’ tribulations over the past few weeks, it probably should have been far more comfortable for but they just about did the job.
Paul Deacon stepped into the position vacated by Diamond and, despite his team struggling in the first half, the coach insisted the former hooker’s ban did not affect the squad.
“Dimes has been with us through the week,” Deacon said. “We had our prematch meal and he spoke to the players before he left as he always does.
“I’ve had this experience for two weeks in the AngloWelsh so that’s helped me and everything went smoothly in that regard. I’m delighted with the points, but it wasn’t pretty.
“We need to learn that we can still play rugby in the wet and I thought we showed that in the second half, but we’ve got to do that for 80 minutes.”
It was a crucial victory for the Sharks and one which continued a tough period for Northampton.
Worcester’s result against Leicester in Saturday afternoon’s encounter possibly suggested that the Saints’ reversal at the Warriors last weekend was not such a surprise.
But these are difficult days for Jim Mallinder and Dorian West. A mid-season blip could have accounted for them last term and they are again under pressure having seen the one-time leaders drift further behind the top-four race.
It was very much a makeshift Saints with James Grayson, Tom Stephenson and Rory Hutchinson making up an inexperienced midfield.
However, they were excellent in the first quarter against a lacklustre Sale, who initially struggled to muster the intensity that usually encompasses their home performances.
With Tom Wood, Teimana Harrison and Cobus Reinach also providing valuable knowhow, Northampton dominated the opening exchanges and took a 12-3 advantage.
Faf de Klerk had opened the scoring with a penalty but the visitors responded excellently and went ahead when James O’Connor’s attempted clearance was charged down and finished by Reinach.
Mikey Haywood then crossed the line to complete an excellent passage of play before the hosts finally found the correct gear. Sale went the direct route, wearing down the Saints’ forward eight, and forcing the Midlanders to infringe.
That eventually led to yellow cards for Michael Paterson and Jamal Ford-Robinson, indiscretions which cost them a try when De Klerk scampered over.
Ford-Robinson remained absent for the start of the second period and the Sharks capitalised via Ben Curry, who benefited from good work by O’Connor, Sam James and Denny Solomona to score.
Harry Mallinder then levelled the encounter but Will Cliff was the hero for the home side, bisecting the uprights with 17 minutes remaining.