Saint-Andre angry despite win

Sharks boss critical of team's inability to turn chances into points

Last updated: 15th February 2008

Sale Sharks director of rugby Philippe Saint-Andre

Saint-Andre: Mistakes

Related links

Teams

Sale director of rugby Philippe Saint-Andre was left fuming with his side's performance, despite their 29-3 Guinness Premiership victory against bottom side Leeds.

The match proved a tour de force for England discard Charlie Hodgson, who gave a flawless display in kicking 19 points as the Sharks took a much-needed win.

Leeds, without a Premiership victory since October, saw their winless run on the road, which now stretches back to November 2005, continue thanks to Hodgson's display and tries from Luke McAlister and Chris Bell.

But Saint-Andre was angered by his side's inability to turn possession and territory into points, with a number of unforced second-half errors also coming in for criticism.

"It's very disappointing not to get a bonus point, although it was important to get the win full stop," he said.

"When you create so many opportunities - I think we created five or six in the first half - but just couldn't score. We dropped the ball and there is much to improve upon.

"We were not clinical enough and we were not patient enough - at times we didn't have enough quality.

"This week I wanted our players to be patient and direct but we just made too many mistakes.

"I see it as a point lost and that could be crucial as we want to finish in the top four at the end of the season."

Disappointing

Despite watching his side once again fail to collect points away from home, Leeds director of rugby Stuart Lancaster refused to be downcast.

Nevertheless, the result leaves Leeds them five points adrift of Worcester and safety.

He said: "I think we were lucky to only lose 29-3. From our point of view it was a disappointing performance - you can't dress it up any other way.

"We made unforced errors and were dominated in most aspects of the game. Our defence was excellent though and it needed to be.

"I thought we started well but we needed to take the points on offer - we didn't and Sale just turned the screw.

"They are a quality side and their superiority told - we just weren't good enough on the day.

"We need to make sure we look at the issues from this performance and get ourselves right for our next game."