After a narrow loss at Leek last Saturday, the Bach will be looking to bounce back and put on a much-improved performance in front of a packed out Bradwall Road this weekend. The 1st XV welcome strong promotion contenders Blackburn RUFC as Sandbach look to make Bradwall Road something of a fortress this league cycle. This will certainly be difficult as the visitors lost out on advancement last season by the narrowest of margins on points difference, so Blackburn will be keen to avenge their defeat to the Bach at home in February, which effectively ruined their campaign.

Certainly Sandbach will be looking to eradicate some basic errors and get their fabled high energy game going, as the new young players settle in and start to gel. They know that will need plenty of commitment to combat a powerful team that like to keep hold of the ball, but as the last encounter showed, with the right attitude, you can achieve great things.

The Saxons also welcome Blackburn 2nd XV at a slightly earlier kick off at 2:30pm as they too look to get off to winning ways. Due to the Stormers league having 11 sides in it, the 3rd XV lads have a bye this week and therefore have earnt themselves a well-deserved rest.

We will also say goodbye and remember the club legend that was Robin Astles this Saturday with a minute’s silence before the games. Please come and join us as we celebrate a man who gave so much to Sandbach RUFC.

Finally, a huge thank you to our main partners, Sandbach Truck and Van Ltd (STVL) and Aquila Truck Centres, who will be match supporters this weekend. We hope you’ll even stick around to watch England v Argentina on the big screens after the game, 8pm kick off.