Faf’s late call puts Sale in a tight corner
STEVE DIAMOND said his Sharks will just need to dust themselves down for next weekend and hope they do enough against Perpignan and results elsewhere go their way in their bid to secure a quarter-final spot in the Challenge Cup.
They had a chance to win it at the death at the Sportsground but Faf de Klerk opted for the corner rather than try a matchwinner from a penalty on the left touchline. But they were pinged for crossing in the lineout and the chance was gone.
“It’s a daunting task coming here, people underestimate it but we certainly didn’t,” said Diamond.
“We knew after 20 minutes what we were in store for. Connacht had a 12-15 point wind in the first half and we knew if we could stay in it, we had a chance. We did and it was a game of two halves.”
Connacht, having built a 17-0 lead after 23 minutes, had to come from behind seven minutes from the end to keep their qualification hopes alive.
They hit Sale for two tries in a blistering threeminute spell in the opening half with Bundee Aki creating an opening for his centre partner Kyle Godwin to score under the posts.
A good hit by Ultan Dillane in the middle of the field forced a turnover that ended with scrumhalf James Mitchell sprinting through to score against his former employers. Jack Carty, having got them off the mark with a 14th minute penalty, converted both.
Sale got back into contention when Chris Ashton went in for their opening score in the final play of the half to leave it 17-7 at the break.
De Klerk cut the gap after 52 minutes when he nabbed their second try after Jono Ross made the hard yards but he surprisingly failed to convert and Connacht took a five points lead into the final quarter.
De Klerk edged Sale back in front with a couple of penalties to lead 18-17 with 14 minutes remaining.
Connacht went back in front seven minutes from time when replacement out-half David Horwitz tapped over in front of the posts but they had to withstand a frantic finish.
“It was one of the more frustrating games to watch and play,” said Connacht coach Andy Friend.