After 6 weeks of cold weather and cancellations, a flustrating spell without rugby was finally broken with a fixture against reigning County champions, Caldy. During the long lay off Sandbach had only managed to train once and so it was with a degree of uncertainty that we went into this fixture. We were at least grateful to be playing at home for only the second time this season and with almost a full squad available it gave an opportunity to get most players some reasonable game time. An unfortunate knock to Henry Jones during pre-match warm up meant he had to sit out the match but the remaining 28 players all got on the pitch for at least a third of the game.
The coaches instructions were simple – concentrate on performing the basics well, play at a high tempo and keep pressure on the opposition. With the forwards providing a good supply of possession and some effective defence, Sandbach dominated terratorially in the first half but only managed a narrow half time lead of 8 points to 5. Sandbach had moved ahead 8-0 through an Ollie Moore penalty and a first try for Elliot Morris following his return to rugby at Sandbach. For the try, Ollie Moore, having probably his best game of the season, put in a deep angled kick forcing the Caldy defence to turn and hesitate. Elliot, no doubt with his coaches final instructions still fresh in his mind, chased hard and managed to get to the ball before Caldy reacted. Finding it difficult to create many clear opportunities themselves, Caldy were gifted a try when an over adventurous quick line out, deep in the Sandbach half, allowed Caldy to steal the ball and plunge over.
9 half time changes and following instructions to step up the pace, the Sandbach game continued to improve in the second half. Despite all the forward changes, the pack continued to dominate in the scrum and loose. Inevitably, after such a long break without a match, errors were made and it wasn't until almost the final play of the game that the victory was made safe when centre Nicky Weaver scythed through the tiring Caldy defence. Overall it was a very pleasing performance and result, with perhaps the only down side, that the victory should have been made safe much earlier. A number of breaks that should have lead to tries failed to be converted into points and that is something we must work on.
An entertaining match and good to shake some of the Christmas rustiness out of the players. A fourth win on the trot and against strong opposition, provides a ecellent base to build on for the second half of the season.
Tries: Morris, Weaver.
Penalty: Moore.
SQUAD: Adam Lancaster-Bartle, Andy Davies, Ashley Guy, David Steer (C), Eddie Webster, Elliot Barton, Elliot Morris, Fred Joyce, George Cooper, Henry Jones, Hugh Davies Hugo Fairlie, Jack Harrison, Jack Moran, James Symms, Jonny Lea, Joe Watts, Kieren Dale, Liam Rundell, Luke Houghton, Mark Toleman, Matt Guindy, Nick Weaver, Oliver Dray, Oliver Moore, Taos Grisdale, Thomas Butler, Thomas Hutchinson, Thomas Shaw.