Burnage 1st XV 32-28 Sandbach 1st XV
Saturday 5th April
Northern Division – Regional 2 North West
Varley Park, Stockport
Sandbach’s league campaign came to an end on Saturday with a narrow 32-28 loss to Burnage. The Stockport based side have now beaten the Bach twice this season, the only team to do the double over them.

Sandbach’s George Cole, Henry Mitchell and Matt Randle made it a full house of league starts having played every game this season. Colt’s graduates Randle and Mitchell are both studying away at university, which makes this feat even more impressive. Saturday’s squad featured seven players under 21, which shows the young talent coming through.

Sandbach started the game positively with an early try by Ollie Jones, who was supported by the ever-imposing Ryan Arundale. Randle kicked the extras to put the Bach seven points ahead.

Burnage scored two tries in succession and despite a yellow card, they went in at half-time leading 10-7. The home team got another score seven minutes into the second half after some neat offloads, but a few minutes later Sandbach were back to their scoring ways when George Perkins stretched over the line for a try. Randle once again slotted the kick to put the Bach one point behind at 15-14.

Sandbach had momentum and Cole capitalised on a loose ball to put them ahead and to score his tenth try of the season. Following another successful kick, the Bach scored again soon after, this time it was scrum-half Laurie Essenhigh’s quick tap penalty that earned the points. Randle converted once more and Sandbach were ahead.

A converted try for Burnage after 66 minutes put the hosts back into the game. They scored again shortly after, although they missed the kick leaving them one-point adrift. Three minutes before full time and a try by Burnage’s centre gave them the decisive lead and the game was eventually settled 32-28.

The narrow loss and four tries earned Sandbach two bonus points and confirmed their third-place league finish. They finished three points behind second placed Firwood Waterloo and seven behind league champions Bowdon. There are many positives to take away from this season including having only lost once at home and scoring an incredible 884 points, the most points in the league.

Sandbach now turn their focus to next week’s Papa John's Community Cup tie against Widnes. Both teams received a bye in the 1st round and this fixture is a 2nd round straight knockout tie. The Bach’s home support will be out in full to cheer on their team as they aim for a successful cup run. After a third-place league finish and with an exciting young squad, this Sandbach side have plenty more to offer.

2nd XV
Elsewhere on Saturday, the 2nd XV beat Anselmians 35-28 back at Bradwall Road, with an unbelievable last-minute winner created by Sam Bromley and finished off by Dylan Husbands.

3rd XV
The young 3rd XV travelled to Burnage to take on their 2nd XV and came away with a 24-21 victory, with Matt Barlow picking up the player of the match award. A number of Colts impressed as they stepped up to represent the thirds.

4th XV
Finally, the 4th XV welcomed Luctonians to Bradwall Road. The Bach won 53-19 with the star of the show Dan Tobin, who is relatively new to the game, slotting three out of three conversions.

'Bach 4 Life
Sandbach Rugby Club’s ‘20:20 > B4L’ mission, aims to keep twenty people involved in the club when the players from each Mini & Junior age group reach the age of twenty, making them 'Bach 4 Life'. On Saturday, 88 senior rugby players took to the field to represent the club across four teams. The 1st XV team included 15 former mini and junior players, the 2nd XV had 16 players, the 3rd XV had 14 players, and the 4th XV had 21 players. This demonstrates how Sandbach’s mission is coming to fruition and as they celebrate their fiftieth year of mini and junior rugby, the club is thriving.

Next match:
Sandbach 1st XV Vs Widnes 1st XV
Saturday 12th April – Kick-off 3.00pm
Papa John’s Men’s Community Cup - Regional 2 North Plate - Round 2
Bradwall Road, Sandbach

Sandbach’s U17 Junior Colts
On Sunday, Sandbach’s U17 Junior Colts side faced Trafford MV in the semi-final of the Northwest Junior Colts league plate competition at Bradwall Road. In glorious spring sunshine, the Bach were the winners with a resounding 47-12 victory. They will go on to face Davenport in the final on 4th May.