Sandbach left Abbeydale somewhat frustrated and feeling they hadn’t quite had the rub of the green, when they visited the league leaders on Saturday. The whole game was largely played between the two twenty-two metre lines, but Sheffield’s set piece and organised defence were the key to them winning the game. Sandbach were competitive throughout the game, but a couple of lapses in concentration and a key refereeing decision cost them, as their opponents took full advantages of their opportunities. As tends to happen though when you are top of the league, breaks and decisions seem to go your way, with a calamitous 10-minute spell for Sandbach midway through the second half, saw Sheffield pull away and leave the visitors too much to do.

Sheffield opened the scoring after just three minutes with a Finn penalty, but Sandbach replied with two of the same from Cargill. Sheffield then regained the lead with a try from fullback Fisher, who took advantage of a kindly bounce from a kick over the line and a couple of neat off loads, saw him over. Sandbach inched back ahead with Cargill’s third penalty but a home try just before the break, saw this slender lead wiped out. Sheffield counter attacking from a Sandbach deep kick, managed to slip a tackle, then good support put Sheffield flanker Adcock under the posts. Finn then adding the simple conversion.

Turning round 15 v 9 down Sandbach were still very much in the game and the Bradwall Road boys were certainly causing the home defence some distress. So, the controversial score 15 minutes into the second half as Adcock got his second try proved the turning point. Referee Ewan Leadbeater had signalled for a penalty for Sandbach, who sensing a free play saw fly half Mark Bird punting a cross field kick to release winger Jack Leech. Leech was held in the tackle and had the ball stripped but as Sandbach waited for the whistle for the penalty, the referee claimed the advantage was over and Adcock joyfully scooted home from the halfway line.

This rather knocked the stuffing out of the Cheshire boys, and they quickly conceded a couple more tries, both in a similar manner with Sandbach caught in two minds hoping clearance kicks would gently bounce into touch. Neither of which unfortunately did so. Quite the contrary, as is the want of a rugby ball they bounced each time in the opposite direction into the welcoming arms of the onrushing attack, resulting in scores for Sheffield giant second row Parsons and winger Cooke.

Sandbach were now chasing the game and did get the consolation of a fine try from Josh Brookes as multiple phases finally outflanked the home defence and had further chances when a driving lineout was held up just short. It proved to be too little too late and any hopes of even a losing bonus point had gone before Sheffield had the last word with a Cooke penalty on the final whistle.

Sandbach had been competitive throughout the game and the score line certainly belays what for large parts of the game was a close entertaining match. Sheffield are not top of the league by accident and the confidence that goes with it was clear to see. Sandbach can at least take heart in the knowledge that on another day, things could well be different and that they know they have the game to trouble anyone in this league, it just wasn’t their day on Saturday.