Sale Sharks got their first away win of the season and moved to seventh in the table with victory over Harlequins on Friday night in round eight of the Aviva Premiership.
Captain Dan Braid scored the only try of the match just over 10 minutes from time, after both sides traded penalties, to give Sale a 16-12 win at Twickenham Stoop.
Director of rugby Steve Diamond was pleased with his side’s second consecutive win but wants to turn momentum into a run of results.
He said: “It’s a good away win obviously, the competition is so tight these days that you rarely win away.
“We want to have 25-30 points by Christmas which will give us a shot to get into the top six, which we know is going to be very difficult.
“We did well last week against London Irish and this result will give us some stability and consistency so we’re delighted with that.”
The Sharks are only outside the coveted top six places on point difference, however they must overcome struggling Newcastle Falcons and high-flying Exeter Chiefs to meet their Christmas target.
Friday night was the first time this season that Sharks have stopped the opposition from scoring a try but, as ever, boss Diamond saw things he would like to change.
He said: “It was a scrappy game, the lineout didn’t function very well but we defended really well and when we got our opportunity we took it. Dan Braid scored a really good try and we’re delighted.
“A lot of hard work is needed next week to get the set piece sorted and hopefully we can give Newcastle a good run for their money.”
The first hour of the match was a real duel between the two fly halves, with Nick Evans kicking four of four penalties for Quins and Danny Cipriani keeping the visiting side in the contest with three of five.
Braid’s try came after sustained pressure from the forwards on the home side’s line, the former All Black spinning out of a tackle to score from close range.
The Salford side travel north next week to face a Newcastle team that have struggled domestically, winning just three games out of ten in the league and LV=Cup.
Main image courtesy of Sale Sharks via YouTube, with thanks.
