Match Report - Kirkby Lonsdale 5 - 86 Sandbach

Sandbach RUFC continued their perfect start to the season, when they travelled to the picturesque Underley Park, to record an emphatic victory, against an always valiant Kirkby Lonsdale outfit.

In reality it was literally men against boys, with the average age of the Kirkby Lonsdale squad of just over 21 and though it may be promising for them in years to come, rugby at this level is unfortunately unforgiving. Sandbach proved much too strong and despite a reduction in the scoring in the second half, they were always in overall control.

The game kicked off following a minute’s silence to commemorate the death of the Queen and from the opening whistle it was pretty much all Sandbach, as they dominated proceedings for much of the half. The start perhaps typified what was to come, as from the receipt Sandbach went through multiple phases, gaining ground each time. Eventually after two minutes of continuous play, Sandbach’s skipper Jimmy Gore crashed over, without the Cumbrians having touched the ball. For the next twenty minutes it was pretty much one way traffic, as the Bach by then had achieved their try bonus, when hooker Alex Bishop scored a catch and drive, to follow up earlier tries from Jimmy Reilly and Myles Hall.

Kirkby Lonsdale hardly had any possession during this period, but the youthful opponents did show great courage and determination and when they had the ball no little skill. However, any chance of recovery was short lived, as the Bach went through the gears with a further five tries before the break. Bishop adding his second, Harry Hughes and Mark Irving both bagged tries, whilst full back Preston also claimed a brace. Preston’s second being the pick of the bunch, as he collected a beautifully judged Cargill cross kick, on the full and at pace. Then with Preston also converting seven of the tries, it was 0 v 59 at half time.

Sandbach made a few changes at the break with nineteen-year-old Durham University student Hugh Porteous coming on, to show that it was not just the home side, that had the monopoly of young talent on display. Kirkby Lonsdale did get something to show for their efforts when winger Ollie Higgs charged down Preston’s clearance kick, to gather and score, for what proved to be just a consolation try. Undaunted Sandbach stuck to their processes and continued to keep the score board going, as prop John Whittaker forced his way over, and Bishop completed his hattrick with another driving maul try from a lineout.

Matt Beeston came on then to replace Bishop and join fellow Sandbach academy graduate Porteous as both made their league debut. Veteran half back Mark Bird also got on the paddock and his three hundred and sixty 1^st XV appearances will have been well in excess of the whole of the Kirkby Lonsdale squad. Sandbach continued to score but not with the regularity of previously, as Preston completed his hattrick, Hall got his second and Hughes the final try in the last minute. Preston’s conversion completing the game.

Though Sandbach have made an ideal start on their return to the North West league, they will be under no illusion and know that there will be much more difficult games to come. Sandbach know there are some big clubs with significant financial backing and that injuries and squad depth will certainly have an effect as the season unfolds. At the moment they can only beat the opposition they have come up against but expect Lymm next week will give them a far more realistic view of where they are really at. With both teams unbeaten and having maximum points, things look set for a great encounter next Saturday at Bradwall Road.