Match Report - Northwich 17 v 13 Sandbach

Sandbach lost for the second time in the season on Saturday, as they went down narrowly to Northwich in the local derby.

The Bach certainly had plenty of chances to win it, having dominated territory and possession for large sections of the game, but they were never really at their best. So with Northwich defending with their lives at times, the home team took their chances and managed to hold on. Sandbach weren’t helped by a couple of key injuries but still could have got something out of it. However unlike the game at Macclesfield a few weeks ago, despite battering away at the home line, they were not able to snatch it, with Northwich earning their victory based on a heroic defensive effort.

Moss Lane can be a difficult place to go at the best of times and a shower of rain just before kick-off, also meant that the conditions were not ideal for running rugby. Sandbach kicked off with the breeze in their favour but suffered an early blow when flanker Ali Burton limped off the field after just a few minutes, being replaced by Ed Randall.  The slippery conditions meant there were plenty of errors from both sides, with the game being a scrapy affair. Sandbach had the ascendency in the scrum and with the weather making lineouts difficult, it was a case of playing in the right areas of the pitch. This policy was rewarded with Sandbach leading 0 v 6 after a quarter, following two Will Cargill penalties.

Northwich did reduce the deficit with a penalty from fly half Nick Baldwin, which saw Sandbach hooker Alex Bishop sin binned for a deliberate obstruction, but they managed to hold out a spell of pressure with fourteen men to go in at the break just three points ahead. Crucially they lost Pat Sherratt with a dislocated shoulder, this having been the cause of him missing most of last season. So after a resulting operation to repair it, the prognosis for the second-row man does not look good. Prop Tom Poole coming on to replace him.

Sandbach once restored to their full complement continued to dominate the scrummage even with the changes. Despite a series of penalties and drives, they were unable to convert the pressure into points, critically being penalised for sealing off when inches from the Northwich line. Northwich then enjoyed a series of phases to create an edge and work winger Tom Husbands away. The son of former Sandbach player Tristan then sped away to score and Baldwin judged the kick well as the home side led 10 v 6. Northwich then received their own yellow card for a late tackle, but Sandbach failed to take advantage conceding another try after a piece of opportunism on their part. It seemed that a Northwich move had broken down as a ball went to ground and bobbled on the deck. Such is the bounce of a rugby ball, it evaded the on rushing Sandbach defence and the ever-dangerous Northwich full back Ethyn Martin gathered the loose ball to dash away and score. Baldwin again adding the conversion.

Sandbach galvanised themselves and really put the home side under pressure with a series of scrums and penalties in their favour and with yellow cards being shown to Northwich in their efforts to prevent a score, the game went to uncontested scrums. Sandbach took advantage of the reduced numbers as James Preston was able to force his way over with seven minutes to go and the subsequent Cargill conversion meant that the Bach needed a try to take the game. Try as they might it was not to be with a series of reset scrummages and penalties, that on other occasions may have resulted in a penalty try. Then when not for the first time Sandbach were penalised at the breakdown and to the delight of the home crowd, Northwich were able to kick the ball dead and claim a brave victory.

This game is once again something of a reality check for Sandbach and though on another day it could have been a different story, they never really showed the necessary clinical edge. The failure to turn pressure into points against a resolute defence, proved to be their Achilles heel and they will need to execute better next week, when high flying Rossendale visit Bradwall Road.