Sale Sharks lost ground on their top-six rivals after a mistake by talisman Danny Cipriani proved costly as London Irish won 25-23 in the Aviva Premiership.
Sharks were in command before half time when Cipriani’s pass was fumbled allowing Andrew Fenby to score and give the home side the advantage at the interval.
Director of rugby Steve Diamond identified that moment as the turning point in the match, insisting that the England fly-half should’ve cleared the danger after Chris Noakes’ 55-metre penalty fell short.
He said: “Cipriani is an experienced player but he took the wrong option.
“This gave them momentum and allowed them to win the second half hands down as our game management was poor.”
Tom Arscott scored either side of Mike Haley’s try for Sale but Fenby’s score and Alex Lewington’s double meant the home side hung on for a narrow win.
Premiership referee Greg MacDonald was officiating only his second league game, much to the chagrin of boss Diamond who thought key decisions did not go his team’s way.
“This was a massive game with livelihoods depending on it but too often our club are given inexperienced referees.
“We should have had two penalty tries in the first half and for the critical try just before half-time, their player was 15 metres offside when the kick was taken.
“There were six experienced Premiership referees officiating in the Championship yesterday.”
Sale are now in seventh and are five points off London Wasps in sixth, but Diamond believes his side can still qualify for the elite European competition.
“We are good at home and have Newcastle and Harlequins to come but we’ve got to come and beat a side like Irish who are in a transition period.”
Harlequins come to the AJ Bell in just under two weeks as the season comes towards its finale.
Main image courtesy of Sale Sharks via YouTube, with thanks.
