NOT THE RESULT WE WERE LOOKING FOR

Sandbach’s search for their first win of the season continued, as they left themselves too much to do in conceding four tries during the first thirty minutes, when they were guilty of falling off too many tackles. It is too early in the season to be panicking and two bonus points is a help, but they need to start winning soon if they are not to risk being cut adrift in the forthcoming weeks. This was a game that they certainly had the opportunity to break their recent habit, but errors and defensive slip ups gave the home team too much advantage, which they never gave up.

In gloomy but fortunately dry conditions after heavy rain the previous day, Sandbach made a quick start and were soon building the phases and making progression down the field. So it was something against the run of play that Stockport opened the scoring, when second row Tom Metcalfe intercepted a pass somewhere on his own twenty-two metre line. He was never going to have the pace to go all the way, but an intelligent kick ahead, a quick recycle against an already committed defence, made for a walk in for Port winger Rory Atwill. Stockport’s fly half Cam Hertz making the only conversion of the game. Sandbach responded immediately with a bit of neat interplay which saw centre Jack Leech punch through the middle, and he showed that despite nearing the veteran stage of his career, he still has plenty of gas to burst away to score.

Sandbach then made a mess of the kick off receipt to concede a penalty and the resulting catch and drive drew in the Sandbach defence and a deft kick in behind saw Port winger Fisher in for their second try. Sandbach once again fought back and from a set play, full back Ryan Barrett was away to score, and it was 12 v 10 after twenty minutes.

Errors continued and when a Sandbach box kick went too far and with a couple of Bach missed tackles, it was another simple run in for winger Atwill. Atwill then completed his hattrick soon after, when Stockport’s own set play carved out a big gap and with it a twelve-point lead. Worse was to follow for Sandbach as skipper Ross Sutherland received a yellow card, as they tried to keep the home side out, but showing fight, Bach held out to go in at the break 22 v10 down.

Restored back to fifteen it was a scrappy affair for the first quarter of the second half. Sandbach did reduce the deficit with a catch and drive try for hooker Alex Bishop and soon after Port’s Hertz had his own ten-minute rest, for advising the referee regarding his decisions, once too often for his liking. Sandbach were unable to take advantage and then lost replacement prop Tom Namgauds to the bin and Port were more clinical in making use of the extra man, as prop Tom Gardiner drove over from short range. Sandbach once restored back to their full complement continued to chase the game but left it too late, scoring with the last play, as youngster Henry Barlow ran in a late try in the corner, to at least earn a deserved couple of points.
Sandbach had lost Joel Grout towards the end of the game with another knock to the head, adding to a list of players currently missing, so they will be glad of a free Saturday next weekend. Things will not be any easier though in a fortnights time when Manchester visit Bradwall Road, for what are becoming increasingly important games, as the search for a return to winning ways continues.