Sale director of rugby Philippe Saint-Andre hopes the point that got away doesn't cost the Sharks dear.
Sale boss admits his side didn't do enough for fourth try
Sale director of rugby Philippe Saint-Andre hopes the point that got away doesn't cost the Sharks dear.
Saint-Andre saw his side win 24-17 at Bristol to move back into the top four in the Guinness Premiership and on course for a place in next season's Heineken Cup.
However, with another tough game against London Wasps on the horizon, Saint-Andre is aware that every point is precious in the closing weeks of the season.
"The last 10 minutes showed that we didn't get enough ball to score a fourth try that would have got us a bonus point but I am pleased we won," said the former French international.
Good rugby
"I think this is the first game that we have played on a dry pitch since December. We played some good rugby in the first half we didn't enough quick ball. Luke McAlister made a big impact in midfield when he came on.
"We have a game again on Tuesday night so we have got to manage out squad. I hope we don't need the bonus point we missed here to reach the Heineken Cup next season.
"It was a fantastic try by Ben Foden and he'd made a mistake just before where he missed a tackle (when Neil Brew scored). He has some fantastic skills and a fantastic finish for a fantastic try."
Foden is joining newly-promoted Northampton next season as a scrum half despite the efforts of Sale to retain his services but Saint-Andre believes that full-back is his best position.
England class
He added: "I think he is potentially an international full-back and I still think full-back is his place. He is quick, he is strong, he can break the first tackle and he has the gas.
"I think if he hadn't hurt his shoulder in November he would have been in the England Six Nations squad."
For Bristol it was their third successive defeat in the Premiership but they gained a losing bonus point through a late try from Samoan international wing David Lemi to add to the earlier touchdown from centre Neil Brew. Fly-half Ed Barnes and his replacement Jason Strange added the conversions.
"Sale are a good side but I was pretty pleased by the end of the game and I thought we played our part in the game. We tried to play a bit more rugby and it was a reasonably exciting game to watch," said Bristol's head coach Ricahrd Hill.
"In the first half we made too many errors - I think their were 10 knock-ons which didn't help putting any pressure on Sale. It was pretty even until Luke McAlister came on.
"Sale are a quality side while for us there was nothing on this game. We played our part and tried to play some decent stuff and at least came back and scored a try at the end which was just reward for the effort that went in.
"We were disappointed to concede three softish tries. There was a lot of missed tackles there which is a shame but there again Sale did turn it on when they need to."
