Charlie Hodgson earned praise from both sides after scoring 17 points during Sale Sharks' 22-6 win over Bath on Friday evening.
Fly-half proved the difference at Edgeley Park
Charlie Hodgson earned praise from both sides after scoring 17 points during Sale Sharks' 22-6 win over Bath on Friday evening.
Hodgson kicked four penalties, a drop goal and converted Oriol Ripol's try to guide the Sharks to victory over the Guinness Premiership leaders.
It was a remarkable performance given the nature of the conditions - the match was played on a quagmire at Edgeley Park and was only being given the go-ahead 30 minutes prior to kick off.
"I thought the difference was Hodgson," admitted Bath head coach Steve Meehan. "He kicked remarkably well all things considered.
"But we are disappointed that we didn't take any thing from the game because I felt we deserved to."
Meehan had no problem with the decision to go ahead with the match, despite losing Shaun Berne and Steve Borthwick to injury during the course of the 80 minutes.
Berne had three teeth knocked out after being caught in the face by a stray elbow, while skipper Steve Borthwick suffered an ankle injury.
"I didn't have any problem with the game going ahead," added Meehan. "But Shaun lost three teeth and I hope it has been caught on film."
Clever
Sale director of rugby Philippe Saint-Andre also raved about Hodgson's contribution.
"I thought Charlie, tactically, played very well and very clever," said Saint-Andre.
"We have played the leaders and beaten them and are now just five points behind them.
"But we need to win four out of our last five games to secure a play-off spot.
"The pitch was terrible but it has been like that for the last three months."
Kingsley Jones - Sale's head coach - pointed an accusing finger at England coach Brian Ashton for continuing to overlook Hodgson for the fly-half berth in the national side.
"Charlie is an every player in every aspect of his game," said Jones.
"I think it's a personal opinion isn't it but they are playing Danny Cipriani at No 10 after deciding that Charlie has had his chance.
"But we are happy when England don't pick him as we can keep him here."
