Philippe Saint-Andre said Friday night's first half display against Leicester was Sale's best of the season so far.
Sale boss delighted with first 40 minutes against Tigers
Philippe Saint-Andre said Friday night's first half display against Leicester was Sale's best of the season so far.
The Sharks have now won six out of eight in the Guinness Premiership this season, but they went into Friday night's game against the Tigers on the back of a four-game losing streak at home in all competitions.
The Edgeley Park fans did get to see a welcome victory though, with Mark Cueto and Mathew Tait's tries helping them to 27-13 win.
The visitors pushed Sale all the way in the second half, but the hosts held out and a late Rory Lamont try sealed the victory.
Opportunities
"I think we played very well in the first half and we had opportunities to maybe score another try and also missed two penalties," said Saint-Andre.
"We had a lot of chances. But in the second half we didn't have the ball enough, and Leicester are a good team.
"They attacked the line and came back strongly, but the defence was fantastic.
"We scored three tries, denied Leicester a bonus point and have now won six of our eight Guinness Premiership matches this season.
"That's not too bad. The first half was a very, very good performance - the best in the Premiership this season."
Worries
Saint-Andre does have a fresh injury worry over Tait ahead of their Heineken Cup clash with Montauban next week, with the former Newcastle man leaving Friday's game with a recurrence of his hamstring problem.
"Tait felt his hamstring again," he added.
"He's getting better each week but he's still not 100%.
"He's been struggling for the last few weeks and he's still not at full speed."
Leicester head coach Heyneke Meyer lamented his side's first half display, as Sale dominated proceedings.
The Tigers were always chasing the game from then on in, and just did not have enough to get through the Sale defence.
"We always had to chase the game, because we weren't smart enough in the first half," said Heyneke.
"In the second half we played most of the rugby. But when you don't take your chances and can't defend turnovers you're always going to be chasing the game.
"We expect to win every single game that we play.
"We're playing much better rugby at the moment - but ultimately it is what is on the scoreboard that counts."
