After a good performance last weekend and a welcome try scoring bonus point snatched in the last play of the game, Sandbach will be looking forward to the top of the table clash with Newport on Saturday. Both teams are the only ones unbeaten in the league so far, with Newport topping the league by one point, by virtue of a try scoring bonus point in every game. Sandbach will know that they will need to bring their A game on Saturday and iron out a few areas, as new coaches and returning players settle back in. Fundamentally though the core of the team remains the same, of home-grown players, which does help in big games like these.

Newport have regularly finished in the top three of the league in recent seasons and are clearly targeting a promotion this time around. Once more they have done well with their recruitment, with further additions over the summer to their squad, including George Castledine from Sheffield and Jake Goulson from Bridgnorth. They were also the only team to dent Bournville’s record of wins in the last campaign, so if Sandbach can get a result it will be a great effort, though they have upset the prediction league pundits on many of an occasion before.

Saturday will also give the chance for the club to pay tribute to all it’s members who sadly have left us over the last eighteen months. The game is sponsored in the memory of club stalwart Jon Stubbs, by the family and Crewe Colour Printers, who would like to invite to the club any friends that never got to say their final farewell. After the game his life will be celebrated with a live band and a hog roast, to enable us all to raise a glass or two in his honour. Hope to see you all there.