Saint-Andre delighted with record win
September 08 2008
Sale Director of Rugby Philippe Saint-Andre was delighted to finally secure his side's first win at Kingston Park after 16 attempts with a 14-9 victory over Newcastle.
Charlie Hodgson scored the game's only try and Luke McAlister landed three penalties, as Sale held off Newcastle in their opening Guinness Premiership match.
Newcastle fly-half Rory Clegg kept the Falcons in touch with two penalties and a drop-goal but it was not enough to haul back Sale.
"I am pleased for the players and also for Sale - it is so good for the supporters to break this record," Saint-Andre said.
"Because we were in front we played field position a lot but our defence was very good and well organised.
"It is a good feeling to win here because we know it is always tough to come here and win, and it was very pleasing start to the season."
Sale had to fight hard in the second half as Newcastle increased the pressure and were reduced to 14 men when debutant Luke Abraham was yellow-carded deep into the second half.
But the team's resilience - especially in the scrum where they were without England prop Andrew Sheridan and hooker Sebastien Bruno - gave Saint-Andre further optimism for the coming season.
"When it was 15 against 14 we did not panic, our scrum was very strong with Bruno missing and Sheridan missing so this is very good," he added.
Despite picking up a bonus point, Newcastle Director of Rugby Steve Bates emphasised the need to be more clinical if they are to make an impression in the Premiership this season.
But the signs were better for Newcastle compared to the end of last season for, which ended with a run of one league win in ten.
"I am disappointed we didn't win because I think we were the better team," Bates said.
"What we have to do is to learn to win in those situations.
"We had three or four pretty good chances that we did not take and at this level that is the difference between losing 14-9 and winning 16-14."
But he did have some praise for England U18 international Clegg, who in the absence of Jonny Wilkinson, kicked two penalties and a drop goal for the home side.
"Clegg was outstanding for a young kid playing his first game at that level against a backline full of internationals - I thought he did exceptionally well," Bates added.
Bates also reported that Newcastle flanker Geoff Parling was going to hospital with a suspected broken cheekbone.