Frustrating Afternoon for the Bach

Sandbach will be disappointed not to come away with a victory on Saturday, particularly as Anselmians played half the game without their influential player coach Derek Salisbury, who saw red just before the half time whistle. Overall though it was a disjointed stop start, high penalty count game, with neither side able to put too many phases together. In fact the loss of Salisbury somehow galvanised the home outfit, whilst Sandbach struggled to work out a way to break down their committed defence. Not for the first time this season though, Sandbach’s cause was not helped by the loss of key individuals due to injury during the game, resulting in scrum half’s and second rows on the wing, which rather nullified their advantage.

The game kicked off at the impressive new facility at the Eastham Village based club on the Wirral, following a major redevelopment as a result of selling an area of land for housing development. Under a grey sky and slippery conditions, there were mistakes a plenty, with neither side really able to get much going. Sandbach opened their account early with a Jack Williams penalty but after a quarter of an hour Anselmians took the lead with a line out catch and drive, which saw flanker Harry Graham over. Anselmians fly half Dai Morley adding the conversion. It proceeded to be scrappy all round, with plenty of penalties and handling errors, as both teams struggled to come to terms with the new tackle height law and slippery ball. Sandbach did however reduce the deficit though with a second Williams penalty.

Sandbach’s influential skipper Jimmy Gore hobbled off with an ankle injury on twenty-seven minutes and these disruptions certainly killed some of the visitor’s momentum, who also were having difficulties at the breakdown, with the Saints regularly making it a mess in that area. One such penalty resulted in another kick to the corner by Anselmians and another attempt at a catch and drive, but when this was thwarted Salisbury showed his frustration by throwing a punch and had to leave the field, having added to his somewhat shady record in this area. Just before the break Sandbach were battering away at the Anselmians line, but a lack of composure and spirited defence kept them out, so it was 7 v 6 at the break.

One would have thought playing fourteen men from then on, it shouldn’t have been a problem, but the Saints lifted their game and scored a Morley penalty soon after the restart. Sandbach became frustrated as they struggled to break down their defence, and then had Club Captain Ross Sutherland yellow carded for a high tackle. Though he returned to give Sandbach their one-man advantage back, Anselmians inched further ahead with a second Morley penalty. Sandbach lost winger Joel Grout with a knock to the head but still had their opportunities as they pounded away at the Anselmians line with ten to go. However once again they were not clinical enough and were penalised for holding on when isolated at the breakdown.

With five to go Sandbach eventually made the extra numbers tell and created an edge and prop forward Max Beadle burst away to score. Unfortunately, Williams conversion effort to tie the score went wide. It was not to be as with all hands to the pump, it got really close in the final minutes resulting in Anselmians prop and former Bach player Kosta Vezanovs yellow carded for a high tackle and he was quickly followed by wing forward Bonner for handling in the ruck. Sandbach though panicked somewhat, struggling to think on their feet and adjust to playing against the reduced numbers, resulting in time running out and a jubilant relieved home crowd.

So it’s a question of getting back to work next week for Sandbach, as there are still a number of things to address, but the injuries to the experienced players is certainly not helping a team in transition. Next week’s game is already looking critical as fourth placed Kendal visit Bradwall Road, as the Bach look to get their first win of the season after three games played.