by Rhys Fullerton
Sandbach Senior XV 57-47 Leek RFC
Saturday 19 September
Bradwall Road, Sandbach
‘Bach ready for huge league opener against Northwich
Sandbach were back at Bradwall Road on Saturday for their final outing of the pre-season campaign. They took on Leek RFC, where they won 57-47 in an impressive performance.
After last week’s encouraging friendly against Bridgnorth, Sandbach were itching to build on it. This friendly against the Regional 1 side would involve three separate sessions of 40 minutes, allowing both teams to maximise their squads and ramp up preparations.
It was a sunny but breezy afternoon as Sandbach opened the scoring with a try from centre Ed Vitta. From a Sandbach lineout in Leek’s twenty-two, the ball went in field and Vitta, who crossed six times last season, found a nice gap to score under the posts. Spot-kicker Matt Randle had a simple conversion to make it 7-0.
Sandbach started with their strongest XV and this was evident by the fast start. The home side were back in attacking territory after an excellent 50:22 kick from fly-half Henry Mitchell to gain a lineout. Sandbach were moving the ball around and an offload from Mike Butler found Randle on the wing. Sandbach had strength in numbers and the winger passed to scrum-half and 1st XV captain Laurie Essenhigh who strolled through for the second try.
Sandbach were then required to do some defending and Callum Oakden, amongst others, put in some big tackles. Sandbach used the wind once more for a 50:22 kick and Mike Barlow threatened as he took the ball into contact, but nothing came of it.
Leek were finally rewarded for their attacking efforts with a try under the posts after successive phase play and there were only six minutes left with one score in it.
In the final play of the first session, Leek were in Sandbach’s twenty-two and passed the ball out wide, but it was stolen by Morris who had read the move. The winger stormed up field and despite one lone chasing defender, he placed the ball down for the final try of the first session.
Sandbach switched their team for the second session and there was plenty of energy from both sides. Leek got the first try after Sandbach picked up a yellow card. The Bach were lacking composure as Leek dominated and quickly scored a second try.
The response from Sandbach was noticeable when scrum-half and 2nd XV co-captain Jake Jackson went blindside from a penalty scrum to take the visitors by surprise. Jackson found a lone winger in support, who ran from halfway to score a superb try in the corner.
Leek responded with another try and they scored again soon after. A kick through from a Leek penalty led to a big foot chase, which Sandbach edged, however Leek got the ball back and a gap in the chasing defence led to another try.
Soon after, Leek scored the final try to win the second session comfortably. After the conversion, Leek took a 26-40 overall lead.
For the final session, Sandbach fielded a mixed team making the most of their extensive squad. They were keen to get back into the game and it was looking promising after an early lineout from 10m out. The maul formed quickly and thundered over the line for the try.
Sandbach scored again from a lineout when Tom Holmes carefully took possession before quickly offloading to George Perkins, who dotted down in the corner. Leek had other ideas about a Sandbach comeback and with a steal on halfway, they ran the rest of the pitch to score.
Sandbach moved up field after several quick tap penalties, with Essenhigh sensing an opportunity. They built up momentum after working through the phases and Harry Leese got close to the line again. Leek picked up a yellow card and Essenhigh this time went solo from the penalty to cross for the try.
With 20 minutes left, Sandbach made several changes as they still chased down the win. Jackson was linking well with Mitchell as Sandbach moved forwards from several penalties and lineouts. From 5m out Bowbeer finally ran through for the try and to take the overall lead again.
In the final play of the game, Sandbach’s Dave Doneo took a long pass and, after some juggling in the air, he dived over the line for the final try of the game. Sandbach won 57-47.
This was an encouraging performance from Sandbach and the signs are promising as they head into the huge league opener against Northwich. Saturday’s fixture is not just about bragging rights, it’s about getting the season off to the strongest possible start.
It’s been a long wait, but Sandbach are more than ready to go. The time for tinkering and talking is over. Now it’s time to make it count where it matters.
NEXT MATCH
Sandbach 1st XV vs Northwich 1st XV
Saturday 26 September – Kick-off 3pm
Bradwall Road, Sandbach
