Sandbach RUFC’s Jimmy Gore and Laurie Essenhigh were called upon to represent Cheshire on Saturday. Both players played decisive roles in the bruising encounter against Northumberland at Birkenhead Park, where Cheshire won 29-11.
Essenhigh, who plays at scum-half, is also a senior coach at the club and went on a short loan in February to Caldy for their Premiership Cup clash against Newcastle Falcons.
Club captain Gore, who recently received the ‘Sandbach RUFC Clubman of the Year’ award, missed Sandbach’s quarter-final cup match against Ilkeston due to injury but was back to full fitness for Saturday’s county clash.
Both players have thoroughly deserved their county callup having excelled in every Sandbach game they’ve played this season. They will be up for selection again next Saturday when Cheshire face Durham at Bowdon RUFC.
Sandbach’s George Cole and Harry Leese are also in contention, having been included in the extended Cheshire squad. Cole and Leese have been regulars for the Bach this season and will be itching to join their fellow clubmates in the county team.
Elsewhere, four of Sandbach’s Under 17s also represented Cheshire this weekend in two games played at Lymm RUFC. Zach Boschi and Tom Cross came out on top in a thrilling win against Lancashire, while Alfie Evans and Ollie Mitchell gave it their all in a tough loss against Staffordshire. All four players were a credit to the club and the future is bright with this young cohort coming through.