Sandbach welcome Widnes on Saturday to Bradwall Road, looking to keep their winning start to the season going. Though Sandbach beat Widnes three times last season, the fact that the last game was in a promotion play offs, shows that they are competitive, and the home team can expect another tough challenge.
Currently Widnes lie mid table, having won two and lost two, but that could well have been different, having lost last weekend, to a last-minute try, against the fast-improving Northwich. Their other loss was away at Manchester, which was only by seven points and Sandbach know from recent experience, that that is no easy place to go to.
Both teams normally like to play an open and expansive game, with the visitors, not surprisingly like last week’s opponents Warrington, having plenty of Rugby League DNA in their playing style. Widnes are led by their experienced goal kicking player coach, fly half Liam McGovern, so Sandbach need to be careful of giving any penalties away within range.
Further the forecast for Saturday is not looking too great, with wind and rain predicted. So both teams may need to adapt their normal preferred approach, to a more pragmatic game.
The match on Saturday is our Past Players Day, sponsored by Olive Tree Landscaping and by former player Chris Butler, so a decent crowd is expected, whatever the weather. Contact Mat Dolan our General Manager to book the pre-match lunch. Hoping for a win to help survive those former players tales of just how good they were back in their day.