It is still very much early season, but this Saturday’s clash away at Manchester, is already looking to be an important one, as both teams look to maintain their perfect start to the campaign. Sandbach currently top the table, by way of their superior points difference, with Manchester in third place. Firwood Waterloo, just behind the Bach, being the other team that have achieved maximum points so far.

Clearly Manchester are targeting a quick return to Regional 1 North West, having lost their Level 5 status, at the end of last season. While Sandbach are also keen to revert to that height, a status that they graced for eleven seasons, until a couple of years ago.

The Widnes match report of their game at Manchester last weekend, indicated that the home side have a strong set piece, with plenty of experience and physicality. So Sandbach will again need to front up physically and keep their discipline to limit the number of penalties, and avoid giving them opportunities, to use their super strength in the red zone.

As proved in the last two games though, Sandbach know they can stretch teams when they have the ball and have a more than useful driving lineout game themselves, so an interesting encounter is anticipated. Sandbach will be hoping the fine weather of recent weeks continues, which certainly helps their all-court game. However if they are to be successful this year, they know they will have to deal with a variety of conditions and opposition with different strengths, if they are to achieve that promotion goal.

So let’s get plenty of support over to Grove Lane, Cheadle, as that could just be the edge the lads need, for that all important victory.