1st Team

Wirral 48 - Sandbach 6 Sat 13 April 2002 A spate of injuries did not help Sandbach in their clash with league champions Wirral, resulting in their worst defeat since Christmas. It was a very changed side that made the journey to Clatterbridge. Hooker Tim Oakes returned to the side, along with Tom Stockdale, Andy Mason, and Ian Howlett. Sandbach's first casualty occurred in the first few minutes of the match as at the first scrum of the match tight head prop Andy Maddock pulled a muscle and had to be replaced by Richard Taylor. Shortly after the restart, Sandbach were awarded a penalty, which Paul Harvey easily kicked over the bar. Sandbach then piled on the pressure but were unable to turn this pressure into points. It was at this point that Stuart Butters had to come on to replace Fredrick Galais. This meant a reorganisation in the backs, as Tim Jones moved to the left wing and Stuart Butters to full back. Having been on the back foot for the first part of the half Wirral up the gear and scored a hat trick of tries. Their third when after a series of driving rucks and mauls the Wirral flanker broke at least three tackles to score. Early into the second half Sandbach were forced to make yet another replacement as Ian Howlett was substituted by Chris Poolford. This time it was the forwards that had to reorganise. The only Sandbach points scored in this half were from a drop goal, the Sandbach forwards won possession and the ball was passed along the back line to Dan Massey, who seeing an opportunity drop kicked the ball over the bar. Sandbach's last bit of bad luck occurred when scrum half Samir Dave pulled his hamstring and had to leave the park. This left Sandbach with only 14 men as Ian Howlett could not come back on to the pitch. Wirral exploited this lack of players to the full as they continually shipped the ball out to either wing on two occasions finding winger Dave Gibson isolated. This was Wirral's last league match of the season, a very successful one at that, Sandbach's last league match is against Crewe & Nantwich in two weeks time (27/4/2002); at present Sandbach do not have an opposition for next weekend. Scorers: - Paul Harvey (Pen), Dan Massey (Drop Goal) Team: - Kieran Johnson, Tim Oakes, Andy Maddock, Ian Howlett, George Elphick, Andy Colin Wyatt, Mason, Tom Stockdale, Samir Dave, Paul Harvey (Captain), Frederick Galais, Gareth Jones, Dan Massey, Dave Gibson, Tim Jones. Replacements: - Stuart Butters, Chris Poolford, Richard Taylor.