‘Bach top the table after emphatic eleven-try victory over Crewe & Nantwich
Sandbach’s opponents for the first game of 2025 were neighbours Crewe & Nantwich, who made the short trip to Bradwall Road for another clash between local teams. When the two teams faced off in September,the Bach were relentless, scoring eight tries.
Sandbach have only lost once at home this season making this match a tricky task for Crewe & Nantwich. The opponents had lost four of their last five matches, but the local rivalry and challenging weather conditions could even things up.
Before the festive break, Sandbach lost to Bowdon but held onto second place. Saturday was an opportunity to start the year on a high and let that defeat be a minor blip in an otherwise positive campaign.
With the match underway, the visitors took an early opportunity to get some points on the board from a penalty kick. Sandbach were slow off the blocks but that was about to change. Fly-half Henry Mitchell and scrum-half Laurie Essenhigh started to take controlof proceedings as the Bach moved up the field. Good interplay between George Cole and Josh Brookes found Elliot Morris free on the wing. The prolific try scorer eased over to give Sandbach a 5-3 lead.
It took another 8 minutes for Sandbach to increase their lead. Crewe & Nantwich gained possession and tried to get out of their half, but the Bach held them back on the halfway line. Crewe & Nantwich attempted a cross-field kick, but the Bach got the ball back and attacked once again. A quick tap penalty from Essenhigh took him inches from the line. The defence tried to hold him back, but he managed to squeeze over for the try.
Essenhigh was just getting started. His second try came off a rolling maul and his third from the attack after a lineout. Ryan Arundale stormed towards the line before the ball found its way to the energetic scrum-half. More confident kicking off the tee byMatt Randle put Sandbach comfortably 26-3 ahead.

Essenhigh almost got a fourth on the half hour mark, but Crewe & Nantwich fended him off. The ball went to Morris who secured his second try of the day.

Sandbach earned themselves two more tries before half-time. Morris secured his hat trick from a superb kick chase, which he gathered and put the ball down for the try. The final try of the half was from Brookes, which was his second of the season. Randle kicked the extras and the Bach went in with a powerful 45-3 lead.

The second half kicked off and replacement Kieron Murphy was on for Sandbach and made his mark with a huge tackle. Crewe & Nantwich were enjoying some early possession and made a rare visit to the Bach’s 22. Essenhigh’s box kick clearance was charged down and the chase from the visitors was successful as they earned their first try of the afternoon.

Tom Holmes entered the fray to replace Arundale and it wasn’t long before Sandbach regained control. An ambitious run from a Crewe & Nantwich back saw him running sideways instead of forwards and he was quickly chased down by the Bach’s attackers. A successfuljackal over the ball earned Sandbach a penalty and they rushed for the line. Replacement Dylan Sibanda had the ball and couldn’t be held back as he placed the ball on the line for the try. The conversion hit the post and after 49 minutes, the scores were 50-8.

The ninth try came off the back of a scrappy period for both teams. A run by full-back Harry Lesse was stopped close to the line and with players in support, the ball moved to Cole who went over for the try.
Morris got his fourth try from an interception, but Sandbach were reduced to fourteen men after a yellow card was awarded to Callum Oakden minutes later. The numbers were evened shortly after when a Crewe & Nantwich player was sent to the sin bin. Morris hadr un from halfway but was brought down close to the line by a high tackle and a penalty try was awarded and a yellow card shown.
There was just time for Crewe & Nantwich to get a final try as they persevered from short range. The missed kick was the final play of the match as it ended 67-13. Sandbach thoroughly deserved the win and it was the perfect start to the year. Player of the match went to the influential skipper, Jimmy Gore.
With Firwood Waterloo’s game postponed, Sandbach ended the day at the top of the table, but level on points with them. These high scoring games could prove critical to their league position come the end of the season.
Next week, Sandbach make the exciting trip to the Isle of Man as they face Douglas. Like Sandbach, Douglas have only lost once at home this season. You need to bring your A game to beat the island side in their back yard, and that’s what the Bach will be planning to do.
Match report by Rhys Fullerton
Next match:
Douglas (I.O.M) Vs Sandbach 1st XV
Saturday 11th January
Douglas, Isle of Man