Sandbach had to battle all the way for their bonus point win, as both sides struggled to break down each other’s defence. But with Sandbach dominant in the set piece, particularly at scrummage time, they had the edge and though never quite hitting their full rhythm, it was enough to see them home for a hard-fought win. Wirral deserve considerable credit as they dug in and fought for everything all afternoon, which enabled them to stay in the game, until the last five minutes. A couple of penalties and a try late in the game enabling Sandbach to breathe a little easier and see the game out.

Sandbach kicked off playing down the slope, in overcast conditions following early rain, making it not ideal for running rugby. The Bach had a couple of changes from the previous week, with fly half Will Cargill not making it and Nick Allsop moving over to his spot, Laurie Essenhigh replacing Allsop at scrum half. Sandbach took an early lead from a push over try by Josh Brookes and a conversion by James Preston, which made it seven points on seven minutes. They repeated the formula halfway through the first period as Brookes scored again, when the Wirral pack were shunted over for the second time, with Preston once more doing the honours and this is how it stayed until the interval.

The pattern of the game remained after the break, with Sandbach making heavy weather of it and not finishing off the openings they created. Whilst Wirral also struggled to make inroads when they had the ball, both teams being guilty of being a bit lateral at times. Sandbach eventually scored the best try of the match when from a set play, they created an edge, but this time the support was there as flanker Tim Young dived over in the corner. Wirral quickly responded with their only try, as their skipper Chris Crowley cut a fine line to slice through the Sandbach defence and go under the posts. Centre Ben Brooks converting.

Sandbach quickly reasserted themselves with a Preston penalty straight after, but Josh Brookes then left the field with a knee injury with James Finucane coming on for Sandbach, who gave the home team a bit more energy. Wirral found themselves once more under pressure and lost flanker Pearl to the bin for pulling a maul down. It looked like winger Elliott Morris had then scored for Sandbach but was adjudged to have had a foot in touch, as he dived in at the corner. The relief was short lived as Wirral then suffered a second yellow in their efforts to keep the home side out and using the extra numbers Sandbach rumbled over from a driving lineout, second row Callum Oakden being awarded the score. Preston converted with five to go and slotted his second penalty just before the final whistle to complete the scoring.

Not the most fluent display from the Bach, but if you had offered them that score line and five points at the start of the day, they would have taken it. It is always a test against the Wirral who are a well organised, committed outfit and not easy to break down. Sandbach still have plenty to work on though and will need to be something like their best next week when Stockport visit Bradwall Road. The fixture being reversed at the visitor’s request, as they have a bonfire fundraiser at the Memorial Ground. Lets hope all the fireworks are from Sandbach next weekend.