1st Team

Sandbach 37 - Leek 15 Sat 15 December 2001 Two games were to supposed to have been played at Bradwall Road on Saturday. The first team had picked up Leek from out of the pool and the seconds were due to play against Leigh. However Leigh pulled one of the dirtiest tricks in the book, they waited until ten minutes before kick off, Sandbach by now were changed and warming up, to ring up and call the game off. Attempts were made to get an eleventh hour game against Congleton (who had not got a game earlier in the week) but they were committed elsewhere. It was pleasing to find out that Leigh did not have a winning side this weekend as their first team were beaten 29-10 by Broughton Park, their thirds lost to Sandbach 3rds and the 4ths came away with a 7-7 draw. Sandbach First team had played against Leek on the opening game of the season when they lost 27-21, so they were determined to make sure that they came out on top on this occasion. As this was not a league match it gave Sandbach a chance to play some of the younger players. This meant that Chris Poolford was able to make his first team debut on the flank. With the absence of Dave 'jumping' Gibson, his presence in the lineout was made up for by Chris who took all of his ball and some of Leek's. Sandbach were back to full strength especially in the front row, with Tim Oakes back from injury and Charlie Hughes joining Nick Bolton at prop. This meant that Captain Dave Bailey could move to his usual position of scrum half, for one of his best games of the season scoring two of the Sandbach tries. Both sides were evenly matched, and up to half time there was nothing between the two sides, both sides making breaks and both sides tackling furiously. At half time the score was 18-15 to Sandbach with tries from Ross Stitt, and Dave Bailey. Stuart Butters making the rest of the points with a penalty and conversions. At half time Sandbach made five substitutions and a special thanks to Leek for allowing this as it meant that several of the Colts who were down to play for the second team got a game and also made their first team debut. Dan Massey moved to the centre position, Tom Hughes took over at Fly half and Arran Cushnie took over from fellow Colt Ross Stitt on the flank. This injection of young fit players gave the game another dimension. From the kick off the ball dropped short and was gathered up by replacement Colin Wyatt who took the ball back up the field before being stopped within the Leek 22m. Shortly afterwards Sandbach were rewarded with a penalty kick which was successfully converted by Steve Sutton. The game then settled down and was nip and tuck, with some good rugby being played by both teams as they tried to keep the ball alive. Sandbach's discipline faltered slightly as they were marched down the pitch by a series of penalties one of which being for dissent. Luckily for Sandbach, Leek did not capitalise on this lapse. The youngsters certainly made their mark in the second half especially Dan Massey who certainly lived up to the nick name of Billy Wizz as he went on to score Sandbach's two tries. At one point picking up the ball on the half way line, after it had been spilled by a Leek player after a tremendous tackle by Dave 'running' Gibson. Dan then sprinted the rest of the field outpacing the Leek Backs to score under the posts, to be converted by Steve Sutton. Team: Nick Bolton, Tim Oakes, Charlie Hughes, Ian Howlett (Colin Wyatt), Richard Cotton, Chris Poolford, Ross Stitt (Aarran Cushnie) Julian Spears, Steve Sutton, Stuart Butters (Tom Hughes), Frederick Galias, Dave Bailey (Capt.) Ray Jones (Dan Massey), Dave Gibson, Paul Harvey (Tim Jones) Along with Colts Ross Stitt, Tim Oakes, Chris Poolford, Aarran Cushinie, Tom Hughes and Dan Massey, three of their team mates were also in action at the weekend. Congratulations to Andy Bird, Eddy Meyrick and Lee Pickles who were representing Cheshire U18's in a match against Northumberland at Durham. Next week end Sandbach play against Wallasey in a game which will mark the mid point of the league season. Wallasey are currently at the foot of the league having only won one game. With Trentham beating league leaders Wirral on Saturday they have replaced Sandbach in fourth spot. Other league fixtures next weekend - Anselmians v Trentham, Southport v Runcorn, St Mary's v Ashton on Mersey, Crewe v Ellesmere Port, Wirral v Moore. Hopefully the seconds will get an opposition as they are due to play against Wallasey in their first Cheshire merit table fixture, Kick off at 2.00 p.m. On Saturday evening (22 Dec) the Club will be having their annual Christmas Raffle, this will take place at 7.00 p.m. and afterwards there will be a happy hour when bitter will be £1 a pint. Anyone who has raffle ticket proceeds should ensure that they are handed in to any member of the committee by 6:00pm on Saturday Secretary