Sandbach thrashed Altrincham Kersal on Saturday in their penultimate match of the league season to secure a home play-off. Sandbach backed up last week’s big win over rivals Winnington Park to make this result their second biggest victory of the season.

When the two teams met back at Bradwall Road in December, Sandbach put in a huge defensive display in an extremely muddy 19-8 win.

Kersal have struggled this season and languish at the bottom of the table, however, when it comes to away games, Sandbach were fifty-fifty this campaign. With a home play-off fixture to aim for, and still a chance of securing second place, there was no time for complacency.

Sandbach made no changes to their backline, with Harry Leese at full-back and Matt Randle and George Cole on the wings. Captain Laurie Essenhigh, who has started every game this season, was at scrum-half, with Henry Mitchell at 10. In the centre, the flourishing partnership of Ed Vitta and Ben Verbickas continued.

Changes were made to the forwards with prop Joe Ball making his debut start for Sandbach in the front row as Archie Lea moved to the bench. Ball was joined by fellow prop and club captain Max Beadle and Matt Davies was back at hooker. Timothy Young was back in the second row with Callum Oakden, and Aaron Briscall, George Perkins and Jack Seddon made up the back row. Player/head coach Tom Holmes and Rhys John joined Lea as replacements.

Sandbach took the first try of the game and it came from the debutant Ball. The prop joined the club after Christmas and made his first appearance last week, coming off the bench. Essenhigh got his eighteenth try of the season and, after Randle’s conversion, Sandbach were leading 0-14.

Altrincham Kersal got a try of their own, but Cole scored his first of the afternoon to increase the lead. Kersal scored again, but that would be their last of the game. In the last ten minutes of the first half, Cole took the bonus point try, and just before the break, Perkins went over for his fourth try of the season. Sandbach went in leading 14-33.

In the second half, Beadle crossed for five points before Sandbach made changes with Holmes, Lea and John coming off the bench. Cole scored his hat-trick to take the scores to 14-47, and Altrincham Kersal had a player sent to the sin-bin for a high tackle. Leese increased the scores with his seventh try of the season, before Oakden crashed over for another try. Cole had the final say with his fourth try of the day and his twelfth of the campaign. The game ended 14-64. Matt Randle successfully kicked five conversions and Henry Mitchell slotted two more. Unfortunately, John, who has been an effective addition to the first team this season, picked up an injury which will see him sidelined for a number of weeks.

There were plenty of contenders for the player of the match award, including Ed Vitta, Callum Oakden and George Cole, who all put in big performances. However, it was Joe Ball who picked up the award to top off a big day for the debutant.

Sandbach now have great momentum going into the final game of the league season. They’ll take on Burnage a week on Saturday back at Bradwall Road. Burnage are currently in fifth place, one point ahead of Widnes and two behind Douglas (I.O.M). They will be targeting the win to ensure they don’t need to rely on other results to make the play-offs.

In the play-offs, second place will take on fifth at home, and third will take on fourth at home, with further fixtures for the winners. The opposition is still to be determined, but Sandbach are now guaranteed a home play-off. However, with a chance to finish second, they won’t settle for any less than a big performance against Burnage.

The 2nd XV, meanwhile, showed their class in a huge 73-5 win over Aldwinians 2nd XV back at Bradwall Road. Tries came from Dowell, Bown, Walker, Harding, Jones, Simcox, Adams and Bailey. Player of the match went to Joe Cooper.

As for the 3rd XV, they took on their closest neighbours and rivals Crewe & Nantwich 2nds, and despite the tough battle, they romped home in the end winning 20-12. Player of the match was awarded to Tom Whalley.

NEXT MATCH
Sandbach 1st XV Vs Burnage 1st XV
Saturday 11th April – Kick-off 3.00pm
Bradwall Road, Sandbach