Sandbach are on the road for the fourth weekend in a row, when they travel to promotion chasing Blackburn on Saturday. The north Lancashire outfit are second in the league, but with a game in hand over leaders Lymm, so will have plenty of motivation when third placed Bach visit. In the corresponding fixture at Bradwall Road back in mid-November, the Bach were beaten 23 v 36, but certainly were not outplayed, a couple of key moments being critical in the result. From that game we know that Blackburn have plenty of big ball carriers and are happy to go through multiple phases and not kick a lot, so the Bach equally will need to look after the ball and be patient. If Sandbach are to upset the form book, they have realised from the last few games, that they will need to be in the right frame of mind, not give easy penalties away and make sure they are clinical with the opportunities they get.

Once again, the results of the treatment table may also have an influence, with Sandbach having six changes last weekend, due to injuries sustained from the week before. What it did show was that they have strength in depth and with the Saxons also winning away at Stockport, there is plenty of talent for the coaching team to consider. The weather too may have an influence and is often a leveller when conditions are tricky. At the moment light rain and a moderate breeze is forecast, but at this time of the year, that too can change quite quickly. Expect another hard-fought close game.