After a good training session the ground had thawed enough to allow the game to start.
Game 1
Hard and physical and that was just our first aiders. From the kick off we knew this was going to be a forward dominated game. We didn’t keep possession long enough to allow us to give the ball to our backs. We defended very well and not once in the first half did either side create a scoring opportunity.
The second half started in much the same fashion. From a Stoke kick which was caught by our full back Will, who then kicked the ball over the advancing Stoke defence and continued to follow his kick and was able to retrieve the ball and score in the corner. The last 3 minutes of a rather long second period saw us camped on our own line but we showed tremendous discipline and commitment to keep them a bay.
A big cheer at the final whistle from the travelling Sandbach support showed how close a game this was.
Final Score Stoke 0 Sandbach 7
Game 2
We started much sharper this game and scored early though an excellent kick by Will which was chased by Matthew Ward who touched down in the corner. Our backs got more of the ball in this game with an excellent passing move down the line enabling Louie to touch down. We continued to dominate with Jay scoring after finding plenty of space from a scrum, Owen also finished off a good forward drive. The second half saw Stoke make numerous changes and they scored two late tries.
Final Score Stoke 14 Sandbach 28