1st XV
Matches
Sat 09 Nov 2019  ·  Midlands Premier
Peterborough Lions
5
36
Sandbach RUFC
1st XV
Tries: M Weatherby, W Sant (2), J Leech, E MorrisConversions: M Bird (2)
A Win Away

A Win Away

Peter Davenport10 Nov 2019 - 15:51
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https://www.sandbachrufc.co.uk

Five Points on the Road Always Good

Though this was far from a vintage performance, Sandbach will always be happy with a win on the road and a try scoring bonus point to boot. Having established a twenty-nine-point lead just before the break, the game rather degenerated after that, as the cold weather and heavy conditions took effect. The Lions scrambled over for what proved to be their only score as the half closed and in a scrappy second half, they dug in to restrict Sandbach to just a further penalty try. The win however moves Sandbach up to third in the table and leaves the Lions mired at the foot of the table.

Sandbach made the long journey to Cambridgeshire on a cold Saturday afternoon, with heavy rain the previous day making the ground sodden in areas. Sandbach also made a few changes from their previous outing, with young Alex Bishop starting following Josh Longson dislocating his elbow a fortnight ago, while fellow tyro Kieran Stubbs came in for the ill Nick Allsop at scrum half. Gareth Caen also started as Tom Poole was still recovering from a bad cut sustained in the previous game, with Kostja Vezanovs on the bench as replacement prop. Sandbach started brightly and were soon on the scoreboard, as the opening pressure was rewarded with Monty Weatherby driving over and Mark Bird adding the extras. The second soon followed as Will Sant went in at the corner, with the defence having been drawn in, as a result of a dominant scrummage.

Sant was in for his second soon after and then played a major part in the best try of the afternoon, as Sandbach counter attacked from a long clearance and an interchange of passes put centre Jack Leech away and under the posts. Bird landing the conversion, before Elliott Morris added Sandbach’s fifth try of the half as they broke blind from a dominant scrum. Peterborough Lions never gave up though and were rewarded for their efforts with the last play of the half, as fly half Oakley Mellish scrambled over.

The second half was a rather disjointed affair as Sandbach were unable to push on and were thwarted for long periods by some resolute Lions defence. Sandbach also opted to rotate their bench to try out different combinations and give players game time and this resulted in a few errors and play being interrupted. Sandbach did manage a further score in the form of a penalty try, as having been camped on the Lions line for a long period, referee Dan Rowlands finally lost patience with repeated infringements, as the Lions did everything to prevent a score. This also resulted with their skipper Marius Andrijauskas receiving yellow during the defensive stint. So, credit to the Lions and a bit for Sandbach to work on, to be a bit more clinical in future.

Never easy to get a win on the road and particularly following a three-hour trip, so Sandbach will be happy enough with that. Next week they are back on their travels with another trip to a side struggling in the nether regions of the League, following relegation from National 2 last season. South Leicester having had a similar mass exodus of players as the Lions and have also found the going tough, so Sandbach will be looking for another professional performance, as they travel to Welford Road and hopefully another way victory.

Match details

Match date

Sat 09 Nov 2019

Kickoff

14:15

Meet time

09:15

Instructions

Meet 9.15 am. Bus leaves 9.30 am prompt.

Competition

Midlands Premier

League position

3
Sandbach
14
Peterborough Lions
Team overview
Further reading

Team Sponsors

Sponsor - Tafco
1st XV Sponsor - Aquila Truck Centres
Main Club - Crewe Colour Printers
Club Sponsor - Arclid Transport
Club Sponsor - R K Henshall
Sponsor - James De Pavey
Club Sponsor - Rhino Safety
Club Sponsor - Communicate Telecoms
Main - Glass and Stainless
Club Sponsor - Middlewich Sports and Physio Clinic