Sandbach spoiled the promotion party, as they repeated their performance in the corresponding home fixture, to inflict only the second defeat of the season on the League Champions. The game was a pulsating affair with no quarter given by both teams and Sandbach deserve huge credit for beating a team as good as the Bees. Sandbach wish them all the best in National 2 next season. However, to a man, the fifteen Sandbach starters and the bench were outstanding and put in a huge effort, which once again was a great advert for rugby at this level.

Sandbach had started with a bit of a patched-up team, their regular centre pairing missing and influential skipper Dan Stubbs on paternity leave, following the recent arrival of his second child. Things looked ominous for the Bach as they conceded after just two minutes, as Birmingham & Solihull counter attacked from a clearance kick and winger Matt Dight scored in the corner. Rather unwisely, as they waited for the resultant restart, the big Bees back row man loudly voiced how Sandbach were in for a “pumping” and this provided the spark to ignite the visitor’s response. Sandbach tore into the champions, in particular at the scrummage, resulting in a series of them on the Bees try line. The hosts were perhaps fortunate not to concede a penalty try as they repeatedly infringed to prevent a score, but finally Jack Seddon touched down for a pushover try, the Sandbach eight once more rumbling the scrum forward. Benny Elliot added the conversion for what was to prove a fine kicking display from him on the day.

The next stage saw both sides looking dangerous when they had procession, but playing the territory game a little better, Sandbach inched ahead with a couple of Elliot penalties either side of the half hour mark. Further Birmingham & Solihull were reduced to fourteen for ten minutes, following a deliberate knock on. Sandbach then took advance of the extra numbers just before half time, with Elliot scampering over as the ball was spun wide and he slotted over the conversion, for Sandbach to be 7 v 20 up at the break.

Birmingham & Solihull showed that they are champions for a reason and came storming back after the restart and after a series of punishing drives Bees flanker Brown forced his way over. The tide was beginning to turn as despite some heroic scrambled defence Bees added two further tries one from winger Johns and then a second from Brown. Trailing 26 v 20 with twenty minutes to go Sandbach were rejuvenated as prop Gareth Caen came back on and the impact of young senior colts Ewan Ashman and Kieran Stubbs from the bench brought renewed vigour to the visitors. A Benny Elliot penalty reduced the advantage to just three points and with Cameron Crampton now operating at fly half Sandbach were starting to put some real width on the game. This created the opening out wide as Joe Jepps not for the first time created problems for the Bees defence and Crampton was on hand to pick up the pieces and dive in for the crucial try in the corner. Elliot kicked a superb conversion from wide out and Sandbach were narrowly ahead 26 v 30.

Bees mounted an all-out attack but Sandbach won a crucial turnover and penalty with minutes to go and then wisely used the power of their scrummage to gain a couple of penalties to advance down the field and secure a further three points. Sandbach then held out for the last few frantic seconds and another memorable victory had been secured.

Sandbach can be justly proud of this performance and will look to finish off the league season well with a victory away at Bournville next week. There, Sandbach will be keen to avenge the defeat they suffered in the opening game of the season and demonstrate just how much they have improved over the campaign, under the tutelage of the impressive coaching team. After that Sandbach will be hoping to crown a good season off with a little silverware, when they play old foes Wirral under the lights at Winnington Park in the Cheshire Vase. The game will take place on Tuesday 24th April, 8.00 pm kick off.