Sandbach triumphed over Widnes on Saturday to progress to the next round of the play-offs. The Bach, with home advantage, scored three tries and had plenty of accuracy off the tee as they knocked out Widnes to keep the promotion dream alive.

Sandbach named an unchanged backline, with captain and leading try scorer Laurie Essenhigh commanding things at scrum-half. In the forwards, Ryan Arundale was back in the second row, and the experienced Jack Seddon was at number 8.

It wasn’t the ideal start for Sandbach, as Widnes dominated for most of the opening five minutes. It was even less than ideal when the visitors opened the scoring with a try from Rueben-Taio Mafi after ten minutes.

Sandbach had been defending solidly, with Arundale and prop Joe Ball making big hits. Speedy winger Elliot Morris’s eyes lit up when he intercepted a long pass, but as he began to set off, he was tackled. Sandbach couldn’t execute any type of game plan and with Widnes attacking and passing with fast hands, hooker Mafi went over for the score.

Ten minutes later and the scores were level. Widnes were looking dangerous again, and Sandbach needed some composure. With a penalty in Widnes’ half, the Bach kicked to touch and had a lineout from 10m out. Prop Max Beadle got close twice with two big, powerful carries, as did centre George Cole. Close to the line and hitting the defence hard, Ball punched over for the try. Matt Randle slotted the kick and it was all square. Minutes later, Sandbach took the lead with a penalty kick by Randle from in front of the posts.

Sandbach furthered their lead off a lineout from a penalty. The Bach regained back possession and a kick through got Morris chasing. The visitors gathered and tried to play the ball out, but Morris’s tackle was good and he earned a penalty for Sandbach. From a 10m lineout, Seddon took the ball and it was quickly distributed to Perkins, who ran into contact. Ball got closer once again before Callum Oakden battered over the line for the try. Randle extended the lead to 17-5.

After the restart, Widnes had the ball back and were slowly moving upfield, working through the phases. A pass out wide was almost intercepted by Morris, but instead it went forward and a yellow card was awarded for a deliberate knock-on.

Before the end of the half and with a penalty to Sandbach in range of the posts, they opted for the points. Randle’s kick sailed through and Sandbach went in leading 20-5.

Sandbach kicked off the second half still with 14 players and Widnes took advantage of this with an early try from centre Liam Lawton. After a successful conversion, they were still eight points adrift.

Sandbach were soon back to a full complement and there was plenty of attacking spirit from the home side. Widnes were also threatening, but it was Sandbach who would score next. From a scrum, Randle got hold of the ball on the wing and made a positive run, skipping several tackles. The ball went back infield and Leese found a gap to score his eighth try of the season.

Widnes had to go for it and responded with a try by flanker Charles Feeley. They had been making some big runs and were able to get through Sandbach’s defence for the score. That would be the last points of the day, but there were still 14 minutes left to play.

Sandbach got close a couple of times and there was plenty of fight from both sides. Widnes kept in the battle until the end, even when they were only playing for pride. In the last moment of the game, the visitors got within 5m of the line but lost the ball forwards, ending the game.

Widnes put in a spirited effort right to the death, but although it was tough at times, Sandbach delivered and got the job done. In knockout rugby, that’s all that matters.

Sandbach go again on Saturday, when they travel to Lancashire to take on Vale of Lune in the next round. Win this one and they will still need to win two more games to gain promotion.

Vale of Lune, who progressed after narrowly beating Douglas (I.O.M.) 23-18, ended their league campaign strongly, finishing in second place, one above Sandbach. However, Sandbach have beaten them twice this season, including a resounding seven-try away win. Sandbach must remember that victory as they look to advance in the play-offs. The stakes are high and they must make it count.

Match report by Rhys Fullerton