Sandbach 1st XV 33-5 Widnes 1st XV
Saturday 24 October
Regional 2 North West
Bradwall Road, Sandbach
‘Bach maintain winning run with rain-soaked victory over Widnes
In testing conditions, Sandbach beat Widnes on Saturday to continue their 100% winning start and keep their place at the top of the table. The weather made it tricky for both teams, but Sandbach kept control to earn the bonus-point win.
After two tough but impressive weeks on the road, including last week’s fine defensive display over Warrington, the familiar surroundings of Bradwall Road were welcomed. Sandbach made a few changes with Matt Davies starting at hooker and Harry Leese back at full-back. Club captain Max Beadle would provide cover from the bench.
The weather played havoc from the whistle as Sandbach’s kick-off went out on the full. Despite that start, Sandbach regrouped and were up in Widnes’ twenty-two from a penalty. The maul rumbled forwards before the ball was played out wide. Winger Elliot Morris was on hand to dive over on the wing for the first try of the game. Fellow winger and spot kicker Matt Randle slotted the difficult conversion to put Sandbach 7-0 ahead.
There were handling errors aplenty, which the dedicated crowd were cheering or jeering at every opportunity, and Sandbach were keen to take the points when they could. They took three points from a penalty, courtesy of Randle, and after a fracas in Widnes’ twenty-two, another penalty was secured from the tee.
Sandbach got close to the try line after a solid run from outside centre Ed Vitta. From a lineout, the forwards were doing the grunt work close to the line. Another penalty against Widnes, this time for a high tackle, and scrum-half Laurie Essenhigh took it quickly but was unfortunately bundled into touch as he crossed the line.
In the last ten minutes of the half, both teams exchanged possession and penalties as tempers started to fray, and the referee had words with both captains. Widnes made a rare visit to Sandbach’s twenty-two and the visitors went quickly from a penalty. Prop Joe Ball, who was fired up, made a monster hit to almost stop them scoring. However, Widnes’s fly-half Liam McGovern managed to squeeze through a gap to score their only points of the whole match.
Just before the break, Sandbach had a 5m lineout in the corner from a penalty. After several phases, the hosts got close to the line before winger Morris once again dived over in the corner for the try. Sandbach went in leading 18-5 at half-time.
In the first ten minutes of the rain-soaked second half, it was a physical battle in the centre of the field. Ball made another huge carry as he continued to impress, whilst both locks Aaron Briscall and Timothy Young were everywhere making a nuisance of themselves. Sandbach brought on Beadle and Ryan Arundale to add more firepower, but it was on the wing where Sandbach found space. A promising attack led to inside centre Mike Barlow slipping through to bolster Sandbach’s lead.
Sandbach had taken their chances when they could and were looking more comfortable in the second half. Barlow and Arundale both made important carries as another battle in the centre of the field ensued. A Sandbach maul once again thundered on before Essenhigh went short side and the offload to Randle allowed the winger to crash over for the bonus point try.
In the final ten minutes, the greasy ball and muddy pitch continued to cause problems. Sandbach made an attacking kick and the chase from replacement Murray O’Donnell and Barlow was a good one. Widnes tried to clear but the kick was charged down by Barlow who pursued the ball as it rolled over the try line. The centre then pounced on it for his second try of the day.
Widnes had to play ball in hand in the last few minutes and they gave it a good go considering the wild conditions, but they couldn’t break into Sandbach’s half. The ball went wide and it was of course a knock-on that brought the match to an end.
Sandbach won 33-5 and had once again found another way to win, which makes it sweeter. Their winning run rolls on and they are now three points ahead at the top of the table.
On Saturday, Sandbach are away to league newcomers Wilmslow, who’ve had mixed fortunes so far this campaign. They’ve won two tough away matches but have lost two home fixtures, as well as last Saturday’s game away to Northwich.
Momentum is with Sandbach, but Wilmslow will pose a different challenge. As a busy October comes to an end, confidence grows with each match but there’s still a long way to go.
NEXT MATCH
Wilmslow 1st XV vs Sandbach 1st XV
Saturday 31 October
Memorial Ground, Wilmslow
Photo: Player of the match Mike Barlow scored a brace of tries as Sandbach remain unbeaten this season. Photo by Andy Mitchell
