This was the first time in a long while that Sandbach 3rd XV had found themselves at this stage in the cup competition. With their current run of excellent form and with a squad as strong as any other week, hopes were high on reaching a cup quarter final, but would first need to overcome St Edwards Old Boys.

The cup is always a difficult fixture to prepare for. Having no knowledge of your opposition other than their league position. St Edwards sat comfortably in 2nd place, 7 wins from 7 with 3 games in hand on the league leaders, this was going to be a tough but good game!
The whistle goes, St Edwards kick off. A bit of miss communication in the Bach ranks lead to St Edwards retrieving their kick off. Their forwards secured the ball and it was fired to the backs who attacked with some pace. Before Bach could reorganise, St Edwards were touching down the opening try of the game within 2 minutes.

Wake up call.... These boys were here to play.

Both teams were playing similar styles of rugby, organised forward play with fast playing backs which resulted in some fantastic rugby. St Edwards spent the majority of the 1st half camped firmly in the Sandbach half. However, Sandbach showed why they have only conceded 97 points in 11 league games. The defence seemed unbreakable as they consistently defended wave after wave of St Edwards attack. Eventually Sandbach forced an error and had ball in hand, with some precise attacking play, Sandbach showed just how dangerous they were on the attack. With some well worked field position by the forwards, this allowed the backs to exploit the space. The ball was quickly shipped to our in form fullback Tom Bradfield who scored an equalising try with the teams 1st visit to the St Edwards half.

Tails lifted.... Both teams have shown what they can do and Sandbach have settled the nerves 5-5.

Sandbach were eager to compete at every breakdown but unfortunately gave away a penalty in our half. The St Edwards scrum half kicked for touch and found the 5mtr line with great accuracy. They secured their own line-out and with an organised pack, drove the ball over the line from 5mtrs out.

Note to self.... rolling maul. Missed conversion 5-10

By this point Sandbach had figured out the St Edwards attacking calls and were able to effectively defend their forward play and snuff out their dangerous wide attack meaning their forwards had to do all the work. The pressure on the back line forced an error and Sandbach countered expertly and Rob Smith Owen found himself crashing over for a try.

A calm boot from the try scorer, Sandbach lead 12-10.

St Edwards knew where they were strongest and with another penalty on the half way, again kicked for the corner. Line-out, rolling maul, another score.

Solution needed.... 12-15

St Edwards were playing for the rolling maul and with another line-out 5mtrs out Sandbach needed to do something. A quick tactical chat and the forwards were set. No engagement, Richard Cannon and Tom Stock ran round to tackle the ball carrier, forwards all off side and Sandbach were able to counter ruck effectively and steal the ball, they didn't do it again. Superb!

After all the hard work from the St Edwards forwards, it was clear they were beginning to tire as what was once a competitive scrum became an opportunity for Sandbach to march them down the field. Putting them on the back foot, Ryan Hollinshead picked up from the back of the scrum to attack the line being stopped only a few metres short. Ball recycled, 2 more phases and it was back in Ryan's hands, determined to get over the line but couldn't quite get through. However all that hard work paid off and the backs were able to attack the space with some simple hands and Tom 'the gap' Bradfield found a gap but for the man outside him, with a simple pop, captain Matt Faulkner went over to make the score 17-15.

Another conversion 19-15. Sandbach 4pts up at half time.

The second half started just like the first, Sandbach caught napping and St Edwards were scoring within only the 1st few minutes.

Disappointing... converted 19-22. That try seemed to have made Sandbach heads drop and St Edwards were attacking once again and grabbed another quick try 10 minutes later.

If he could kick he'd be dangerous... 19-27

Time was marching on and Sandbach were 8 points down. But they hadn't given up just yet. A penalty 30mtrs out and with Rob Smith Owen kicking well, took the opportunity for the 3pts to bring Sandbach within a converted try.

Never a doubt.... 22-27.

Both teams were determined, St Edwards wanted the win and Sandbach weren't finished yet. The St Edwards no.4 intercepted a pass on the Sandbach 10mtr and was in for a simple try. But the sniper on the mound had other ideas and just 10mtrs from the try line the St Edwards no.4 dropped the ball and hit the floor. Thanks to some great tracking back, Sandbach were able to secure the ball and start again.
It was clear just how much each team wanted the win as tempers began to flare and gentlemen's disagreements began to occur a little too frequently although hands were never thrown.

5 minutes to go until full time, Sandbach are defending their own try line, if it's going to happen, it must happen now!
Again some excellent defence from the Sandbach forwards around the ruck... Sandbach force the error, turnover, it's our ball. Rob puts boot to ball to clear our line with the Sandbach back line it swift pursuit, putting pressure on the receiving fullback. With continuous pressure, Sandbach forced another handling error! Scrum down Bach ball.

Less than 3 minutes left to play, Sandbach can see the opposition forwards tiring. Scrum time and Bach marched them back past the half way line. Penalty, let's go again! Open play and Sandbach have now made it to within 5 metres of the St Edwards try line but with all the eagerness, get turned over just inches short.

The St Edwards fly-half attempted clearance kick was scuffed and bobbled through to captain Matt Faulkner who was now covering left wing in the back field. This is the opportunity, attacking the space to the left and determined to get the win, Rob Smith Owen looped round to create the overlap and the space opened up. Driving to the line, Faulkner is tackled just 1mtr short. Rory Schurer-Lewis was quick to the breakdown once again and released the ball to on rushing Tom Bradfield who had just caught a serious case of white line fever.
TRY!!!

27-27, 30 seconds left of the game, conversion to come.

Rob Smith Owen takes his time and sets the kick, game clock has run out, conversion to win, it's now or never....
The ball is struck and it sails toward the posts, everyone is waiting for the 2 flags to be raised..... up they go, that's it, Sandbach win at the death.

A young Sandbach side showed great maturity in a tough game. At 8 points down the game could easily have gotten away from them, but their determination and desire kept them in the game and ultimately got them the win. Hopefully this win acts as a mid-season boost to the team and shows them what they are capable of.

Onward to the cup quarter final and Sandbach will be aiming to continue this run of great form in both the league and cup.