Wait for their first win continues

Sandbach’s wait for their first win of the season continues, as in a tight encounter that could have gone either way, they failed to make the most of their opportunities and as a result came away once more frustrated on their travels. It was a touch of déjà vu from a fortnight ago, when with the opposition down to thirteen players for a spell, they were unable to make the most of their superior numbers, which in contrast to Penrith, they did, when Sandbach were down a man in the first half. In wet conditions, making ball handling challenging, it was always going to be a close match, but despite the tension and a strong second half effort from the Bach, it was not to be.

Both teams were a little patched up following a long list of injuries, as Sandbach welcomed back fly half Nick Allsop, while inside centre Ed Vitta made his league debut for the Bach, as the match kicked off under a grey sky on the artificial grass surface. Sandbach started as they had finished the previous game conceding penalties as the home team raced into an early lead as a result, with a kick to the corner and a catch and drive, with second row Chris Jackson going over. Penrith’s own returning fly half Dave Fearon adding the conversion. Sandbach quickly equalised when a penalty of their own was swiftly taken by live wire scrum half Laurie Essenhigh and he had the gas to sprint clear for the visitors first try, which Keiren Stubbs converted, to even things up after ten minutes.

Sandbach continued to give away penalties which put them under pressure and with the home scrum also having the upper hand at that stage, the Bach were defending for the most part. This eventually cost them as Penrith scored their second from a set play off the scrummage and winger Rob Coward went in at the corner. Sandbach were seeing little of the ball as the penalties mounted, and this resulted in flanker Ryan Arundale being yellowed carded ten minutes from the break, as their efforts to keep the home out were adjudged illegal by referee Simon Williams. Eventually Penrith capitalised on the extra man as with the last play of the half Fearon cut a fine line to break clear, then sold a dummy to go under the posts. His conversion ending the half, giving the home team a 19 v 7 lead.

The second half was a different story as Sandbach began to dominate as Penrith’s pack tired and they began to come to terms with the home side scrapping for every bit of possession. With decisions now in their favour it was Sandbach’s time to exert pressure and kick to the corner. Fifteen in, Sandbach reduced the deficit with a penalty try, when for the second time, a driving maul was stopped illegally, with Penrith No. 8 Rattray, going to the bin as a result. He was soon followed by Penrith prop Howe, for stopping a quickly taken penalty, but despite the two extra men, Sandbach were unable to score again.

Crucially twice they elected to batter away at the Penrith try line with a series of pick and goes, and despite the home defence pulled in, the visitors seemed reluctant to move the ball wide to where the space was and on both occasions the chances went begging. In the final moments it was frantic stuff and with eighteen-year-old Henry Barlow on for his debut, replacing the injured Stubbs it wasn’t to be a fairy tale ending, the home side holding out as the visitors tried too hard at times, when may be a cool head was required.
So with a rest week next Saturday Sandbach have the chance to get a few key players back fit again and on the paddock, for the visit of neighbours Macclesfield in a fortnights time. As they are currently unbeaten and still have the local bragging rights following their extra time victory over Sandbach in the Cheshire Cup final in March, there will be plenty of motivation for the home team to get their season up and running.