As with all teams at this time of the year, we have a few comings and goings as the new season approaches. First, we are delighted that Tom Morton has been down training at Bradwall Road and once fully fit should be a major addition to the squad. Tom who played England Under 18’s and was part of the Sale Sharks set up in his younger days, was the regular Cheshire fly half and Macclesfield Captain. Tom has just had a minor operation on his arm that he broke last year, so is not scheduled to play until a few months into the season, depending on his recovery. Hopefully this all goes well, and he will be with us soon.

Morts is joined by fellow Macclesfield man Myles Hall who is well known to Head Coach Matt Bebbington, having worked with him previously at Stockport RUFC. Mylo was Macclesfield top try scorer last season and the proven finisher has loads of experience, which will also help the young players at the Bach. Myles is also well know to several of the Sandbach players, who played at age grade rugby with him.

Ed Randall has arrived from the famed Cardiff Met, the breeding ground for many a top player, including recently topflight players Alex Dombrandt, Luke Northmore and Aaron Wainwright. The back row man joins fellow Met alumni Laurie Essenhigh, who arrived at the Bach last season. Ed previously played for Porth Harlequins, at Level 3 in Division 1 East Central of the Welsh League Structure. Ed also works as a Rugby Development Coach at Sale Sharks, along with fellow players Ryan Barrett and Mark Irving.

Another addition to the back division is James Weeks, who joins from Northwich. The former Nottingham University playmaker also played at Chester with James Preston and further adds to the competition at fly half and inside centre positions.

Returning to Sandbach to make the contest for selection even more difficult for the coaching team is former player George Oakey. George, who can play in either of the half back roles arrives back from fellow Regional 1 North West team Burnage, who he helped gain promotion to Level 5 a couple of seasons ago. George has recently got married and moved back into the area and joins his brother winger Freddie who followed a similar path a year ago.

It's not just about experienced players though and Sandbach are also delighted to welcome back former Mini Junior graduates Harrison Krippner and Mike Butler, both of whom transferred over for a season to Lymm senior colts last year. Mike will be well known to a lot of the boys through his employment at the club’s on-site gym Sandbach Health and Fitness. Mike also has some potential future leadership qualities, having skippered the boys school 1st XV last year, as well as the County U18 team. Harrison is a back row who also represented Cheshire U18's and was selected to represent North England U18's, while Mike can play wing forward and hooker.

Finally, we welcome Patrick Fray who arrives from Whitchurch, having moved house to the Shropshire / Cheshire border. The strong running forward who can play in a variety of positions in the pack, previously played for local clubs Northwich and Crewe & Nantwich. Along with Patrick of course there is the usual crop of quality players being produced from the Bach Academy set up and many of them experienced senior rugby last season, with appearances in the Saxons and Stormers. Though many will leave for university in late September, some will be looking to continue to play at Sandbach, and we look forward to seeing more of the likes of Olly O’Neill, Dylan Sibanda, Ben Sproston and Ben Gilmore who lead the way.

Regrettably, we have also lost a few, with veteran full back Jonny Edwards returning to Bowden, having had a new baby and the travelling involved, is understandably looking to reduce his commitments. Certainly, Jonny bowed out in fine style, steering the club to its first ever Cheshire Cup success in the last game of the season, in his usual unflappable fashion. Also leaving are the Williams boys, Dan and Jack, who are returning to Winnington Park who are now in the league below. Though their appearances in the 1st XV were limited due to the competition for their places, both performed creditably for the Bach when called on last campaign.

Also leaving is Kostja Vezanovs, the popular prop having moved to the Wirral due to work and finding the travelling a bit too much. “Custard” as he was affectionately known as, will definitely be missed by the boys, but perhaps not by the match announcer, who always found his big scoring scrabble name a bit of a mouthful. Finally, we also report that our England U18 and Cheshire U20 centre Ed Vita will be joining National League 2 outfit Sheffield, this being close to where he is currently studying at University in Leeds.

As with all these players we wish them well and all the success at their new clubs. Whatever the outcome they know they will always be welcome back at the Bach, whenever they are passing.