4th Team

Sandbach 17 - Buxton 15 Sat 26 February 2005 As I wasnt here for the game I have nicked Buxtons own match report , hope you dont mind chaps Brownie "Buxton travelled from the snowy wastes of the Peak District to the relatively balmy Sandbach, and lost narrowly in a thrilling game. This was a passionate and at times uncompromising affair, with neither side giving any quarter, played on a firm pitch that allowed both sides the opportunity to run the ball. From the kick off Buxton had to defend, but the over exuberance of the Sandbach number eight, gave a relieving penalty which Hodgkinson gratefully accepted. The Sandbach first try came from a combination of sheer pace and a rare defensive lapse by Buxton. The No 8 broke through a couple of tackles and off loaded to his centre who span the ball quickly to his wing. In space he accelerated past the Buxton cover to score a well taken try which was converted. Rocked back by this Buxton struggled for continuity and though holes began to open the covering was excellent and Sandbach could not find a way through, Bennison producing the tackle of the match to keep them out as they bore down on the Buxton line. Finally they opted for to kick a penalty to edge further ahead. With the Buxton pack beginning to exert some pressure, Buxton had some possession especially from the lineout with Uprichard finding his range early and McNicholas and Poole securing good ball. This gave Graham a chance to strut his stuff, part pea*****, part bull terrier, alternatively piercing the Sandbach defence with incisive running or swatting away the attentions of the tacklers, he was a constant threat all afternoon. It was a Graham break that put Heathcote in space. He found his way past his marker only to be felled by a high tackle. Support from Gould and Bennison secured the ball and Buxton continued up field into the Sandbach twenty- two. From a scrum they launched an immense drive that sucked in Sandbach defenders like a giant whirlpool. It was finally halted five meters short of the line only for Charles, supported by Scott, to peel off and crash through a ruck of defenders to score. The conversion drifted wide but Buxton were back in the game. As half time approached however Sandbach mounted another attack. McNicholas looked to have stopped it with a terrific tackle but the move continued and Sandbach scurried over the line. Converting the try gave them a 17-5 lead at the interval. Changes at half time saw W Preece come on for the injured Gould, and Tideswell replace the hard working Wilkinson. Paul Simpson replaced Uprichard and Austin came on for Poole. The second half saw both sides raise their games. The Buxton back row thrived on the adversity. They refused to take a backward step. Sneddon did sterling work on the floor. Scott and Charles worked in tandem both in defense and attack. With “Le Petit General” Preece dictating the play Buxton ran more and more ball at the Sandbach defence. Hodgkinson created space to release his runners outside him. Once W Preece accelerated into space before being brought down by a last grasp tackle rightly adjudged high. Hodgkinson stepped up and slotted the penalty. Bennison came more and more into the game threading his way through the traffic and releasing the wingers. But Buxton could not quite find the final scoring pass. Clarke and Dickinson came on to replace Heathcote and Riley and still Sandbach held out. With two minutes to go Sandbach infringed again, Buxton ran the penalty using Bearman as the battering ram and as the forwards piled up close to the line the irrepressible Phil Preece burrowed his way over close to the posts, Hodgkinson converted to put Buxton within two points. But time was against them and despite several long range attacks they could not get another score. So the “boot” remains with Sandbach for the moment. But this was an excellent performance by Buxton. The combination of youthful exuberance and wise old heads is beginning to produce some excellent rugby.