Kingsley Jones has warned his Sale players that their 19-8 win over Wasps is merely the first step in their fight to avoid relegation.
But Sale boss hails win as "the perfect tonic"
Sale director of rugby Kingsley Jones has warned his players that their 19-8 victory over Wasps on Friday is merely the first step to easing their relegation fears.
The 2006 Guinness Premiership champions came into the match on the back of an eight-match losing streak but Charlie Hodgson helped them when they needed him most.
The England fly-half kicked 11 points and half-back partner Richard Wigglesworth scored a try and a late penalty to give the Sharks a thoroughly deserved victory.
Jones said: "It was a good win and a good performance.
"I thanked the players for their effort and commitment but that should be the minimum requirement.
"There's still a lot of work to do but this was the perfect tonic.
"This season has been tough but the players have set the standard now.
"Our set-piece was excellent, our line-out was impeccable and I thought Chris Jones was outstanding.
Big step
"That was a big step for us and, other than one mistake, I thought we looked very solid."
Fly-half Hodgson, released back to his club having been called into the England squad as cover for Jonny Wilkinson earlier in the week, landed three first-half penalties to give Sale a 9-0 half-time lead.
Although Wasps hit back through Ben Jacobs' 53rd-minute try, Sale responded immediately when Wigglesworth capitalised on a mistake in the visiting rearguard to cross with Hodgson converting.
The scrum-half then assumed kicking duties late in the second half after Hodgson was left with bruised calf.
Jones said: "He got a stamp on his calf and was cramping up a little bit, but it's nothing major I hope.
"The longer it went on the more painful it became.
"I think if Charlie hadn't been available tonight you would have been visiting me in Wythenshawe Hospital.
"But he was back and proved again that he's a great player for us."
Booing
The match had been scheduled to take place in November but Wasps refused to play just minutes before kick-off having decided that a section of the pitch was unsafe.
Sale fans responded by booing Wasps off the field on Friday and Jones added: "My family came up from Wales in an eight-hour journey and to have a game called off when we felt it could have been played, I could understand the supporters' frustrations."
Wasps' play-off hopes have been dented as a result of their largely insipid display, although director of rugby Tony Hanks denied his side had failed to match their opponents' desire.
"I don't think we're ever out-desired," said Hanks.
"We just weren't accurate - simple as that - and we just made too many mistakes.
"I thought we were the ones playing all the rugby but we struggled under the high ball."
