Sandbach concluded their League season, when as they chased the bonus point win playing Barbarian style rugby at the end of the game, the ball went lose, to give the home side an opportunistic score and leave Bach with nothing. Fair play to Rossendale who gave Sandbach a lesson in taking their chances and though they were ill disciplined at times, playing over half the game with fourteen men on the pitch, when they had their opportunities they took them. Sandbach will be disappointed not to come away with something from the game, but at least will have been heartened by the performance of a number of non-regulars, which will give the coaching team food for thought come selection next weekend for the Cheshire Cup final.

With the game being rearranged following its postponement back in January due to the snow, it turned out to be something of a dead rubber, as both teams’ position as 3rd and 4th in the league could not be affected. Both clubs consequently used the chance to blood a few players, as they build for their respective County Cup games next weekend. So it was Sandbach who kicked off with the slope in their favour and quickly built a nine-point lead after twenty minutes, with a Nick Allsop drop goal and two James Preston penalties. The last penalty resulting in the first yellow card of the game, as Rossendale full back Scott Jordan took a ten minute break.

Rossendale managed to hold out and once restored to fifteen made Sandbach pay in scoring two quick tries, both when running back clearance kicks. The first for centre Brad Cave as the Bach defence looked to have closed down the counterattack, but somehow allowed the Stags full back to slip out of the tackle to create the opening. The second for Jordan being rather more controversial, as Sandbach stopped for what looked an obvious knock on, but clearly not seen by referee Jack Tompkins. With both tries being converted by the leagues top point scorer Lewis Allen, this is how it remained at the break, despite Sandbach battering away at the line as the half closed and Rossendale receiving their second yellow for flanker O’Rouke, in their desperation to keep the Bach out.

Rossendale then received their third sin binning as their influential No.8 Liam Canning had ten minutes, much to the annoyance of the partisan home crowd. However, Sandbach were also down to fourteen themselves minutes later, as winger Elliott Morris saw yellow for a deliberate knock on, as he went for an interception. Further debate followed as Rossendale were awarded their third try, when a kick through was adjudged not to be cleanly touched down by the Sandbach scrambled defence but found in favour of the home team for Jordan’s second, with Allen again converting.

Rossendale then took advantage of the missing Morris to expose the short side and right winger Malloy scored, with Allen once again converting. With Sandbach seemingly out of it at 28 v 9 down, they brought on replacements Tom Whalley and Myles Hall and suddenly they found their rhythm again. This time it was a contentious decision in their favour, as they were awarded a penalty try for another deliberate knock on and Rossendale had their fourth yellow card as winger Molloy took a rest. Rossendale took some time out off the game as Allen increased their lead with a penalty but Sandbach had seen a chink of light. Rossendale received their fifth yellow as replacement Callum Wheelan left the field as they struggled to keep their discipline and James Preston took advantage of the reduced numbers to score with eight to go. This was quickly followed by a try for scrum half Laurie Essenhigh, but Preston’s conversion slipped just wide, meaning Sandbach needed a converted try to win it. With two minutes to play Sandbach were chasing an unlikely win but their ambition backfired as they lost possession behind their own line and Dale’s O’Rourke fell on the loose ball to score. Allen finishing the game with the conversion and a 100% record from the tee.

Overall, a bit frustrating for the Bach but a number of plus points to take from the game. What they do know is that if they are to retain the Cheshire Cup next week in the final, they will need to be more precise in converting their chances, as it is often small margins that win these big games. Let’s hope things fall their way next weekend when local bragging rights are also at stake, as they take on in form Macclesfield for cup glory.