Sandbach 1st XV 31-15 Firwood Waterloo 1st XV
Saturday 18th October – Kick-off 3.00pm
Northern Division – Regional 2 North West
Bradwall Road, Sandbach

Sandbach secured their third win in a row with a hard-fought victory over Firwood Waterloo at Bradwall Road on Saturday. They strengthened their position at the top of the table, after pouring more misery on Waterloo, who have now lost six games from six.

Saturday’s match, the Patryk Memorial Match, was in memory of Patryk Milner, who heartbreakingly passed away five years ago at age seven. To honour his memory, Sandbach donned special superhero match shirts, which were raffled and sold off after the game, with proceeds going to the Patryk Memorial Fund.

Sandbach, with an unchanged squad, opened the scoring after seven minutes with a beautifully worked try. They had been defending confidently and gave Firwood Waterloo no easy options. Trying to find a gap, the visitors went for a long throw over the top to try, but the loose ball was scooped up by Matt Randle who took off rapidly. The winger offloaded on the tackle to George Cole who was in support and the outside centre accelerated down the wing to score. Randle slotted the conversion and Sandbach were 7-0 up.

Firwood Waterloo’s response was immediate when a few minutes later a maul from a lineout was heading towards the try line. Sandbach’s defence did its best to hold it back but eventually it couldn’t be stopped and Waterloo scored the try.

Sandbach’s try was the highlight of their half as Firwood Waterloo looked to be back at their best. The opponents piled the pressure on Sandbach’s defence, however, they couldn’t break through.

When Firwood Waterloo picked up a penalty in range, they went for the three points and the half ended with Waterloo leading by one point. Sandbach would need to find a new approach in the second half.

That new approach was led by Laurie Essenhigh as he marshalled the attack after kick-off. Sandbach were moving through the phases and the scrum-half was in control. The ball was sent out wide and Sandbach had players on the overlap. It was Elliot Morris who took possession and went over for the try to put Sandbach back in the lead.

Firwood Waterloo were playing a lot of ball in hand but were struggling to get over halfway. Mike Egglestone put in several huge tackles, as he did in the first half, and helped to keep Waterloo at bay.

There was no change to the score until sixty-four minutes when Sandbach picked up a penalty 10m out. The hosts had been working their way up the field after a run from Randle and several penalties in Firwood Waterloo’s half.

From the penalty Sandbach had a lineout 5m out and the maul formed swiftly and headed for the line. Matt Davies had the ball and went over for the try, his third of the season. Not for the first time, there was a brief melee, and the referee had a chat with the captains before the game resumed.

A minute later and Sandbach were back in Firwood Waterloo’s twenty-two. From a penalty there was another 5m lineout. The ball went over the top and Sandbach gathered it and sent it back out wide, where Egglestone, who had carried well all game, got hold of the ball and scored the try. Randle kicked the extras and Sandbach were 24-8 ahead.

Sandbach were defending in their twenty-two when Waterloo tried to push the ball out wide, but Morris spotted it, intercepted and took off up the field. There was still a long way to go, and Waterloo’s winger kept up the pace, but it’s hard to stop Morris when he’s in full flight and he scored his second try of the afternoon.

With five minutes left, Firwood Waterloo scored the final points of the match when Connor Wolfenden made a break on the wing and kicked the ball over the top of the Sandbach’s defence. A cruel bounce caught Sandbach out as the Waterloo winger regained his own kick for a try under the posts.

The match ended 31-15 and player of the match was awarded to Mike Egglestone.

In a tough and physical match, Firwood Waterloo showed that they can’t be written off, but Sandbach came out fighting in the second half and got the job done.

Next week, Sandbach face Widnes, a team they defeated three times last season, twice in the league and once in the cup. However, after losing their opening two games, Widnes have now found their form and have won four on the bounce. Sandbach can expect another tough test.

Match report by Rhys Fullerton

Next match:
Widnes 1st XV Vs Sandbach 1st XV Vs
Saturday 25th October
Heath Road, Widnes