Sandbach’s recent losing run came to an end on Saturday, as a well-earned victory on the road, saw them move up to sixth in the table and leapfrog their opponents in the process. Having built a fourteen-point lead at the break, when they had the advantage of the strong breeze behind their backs, Sandbach learnt their lesson from the previous week and managed the game much better. With a committed defensive shift against an always dangerous home attack, they held on, bringing the rewards for a good all-round team display.

Sandbach kicked off the game with a few changes in the backs due to injury and availability, resulting in young Kieran Stubbs in at scrum half, while there was a welcome return for Grant Hallam at full back, with Jonny Edwards moving from there to the fly half spot. All three were influential in a good offensive display, typified in the opening score after three minutes of the game. Having lost the toss Sandbach were given the advantage of the wind and immediately gained possession from the kick-off. Sandbach then went through multiple phases of play, making yards each time to carry them to the try line, before prop Monty Weatherby forced his way over. Hallam then expertly judged the wind to perfection with a quality conversion.

Sandbach continued to dominate at this stage, utilising the conditions to ensure they played in the right areas of the impressive Castle Fields Stadium. They went further ahead after twenty minutes with a penalty try, when Doncaster infringed as they were being driven over the line at a scrum. Phoenix are a quality outfit though and were on the back of a five-game unbeaten run and duly fought back as Sandbach began to concede a few penalties. This resulted in the visitors now being under pressure. The scrummage was particularly a highly contested area, with the Phoenix veteran props Wilson and List bringing their experience to bear. Eventually this told when a set play from a scrum enabled Phoenix to force their way over to reduce the deficit to seven. Unfortunately for Doncaster their over physical celebration of the score saw winger Wright sent to the bin for ten minutes, which certainly did not help their cause.

The scrums continued to be a competitive area and as another went down and a scuffle brook out, referee Peter Connor yellow carded Sandbach’s Tom Poole and Phoenix player coach Richard List. Sandbach then capitalised on the reduced numbers and a knock on by the home team, as centre Sam Winstanley broke away, cutting inside the cover defence, to streak away and score under the posts. Hallam making no mistake with the kick.

The question however, was fourteen points enough of a lead, given the strength of the elements and the quality of the opposition. Generally though, Sandbach played intelligently, keeping the ball in hand and being organised in defence, whilst their set piece was solid throughout the game. The one area where they did have a few issues was at the breakdown and this was to be their undoing on a couple of occasions, when Doncaster exploited turnover ball and a disorganised defensive line to score. Firstly, twenty minutes through the half, they worked No. 8 Donk into the corner with some neat handling and then with ten to go they scored again as replacement Lowcock stormed over. Critically neither conversion was made meaning that Phoenix needed a try to win the game as the clock ticked down. So Sandbach regrouped to successfully run the clock down and when Doncaster knocked on as they tried to chase the game, Sandbach gleefully gathered the ball to boot it into the stands, to claim a notable win.