Credit: Paul Cooke
Bach see off Douglas with two hat tricks to secure a bonus point – Match report by Rhys Fullerton
Sandbach 1st XV 50-21 Douglas (IOM) 1st XV
Saturday 12th October – 1.30pm
Northern Division – Regional 2 North West
Bradwall Road, Sandbach
Rugby resumed on Saturday with Douglas, from the Isle of Man, visiting Bradwall Road.
Douglas were searching for their first away win of the season but after winning the last three games, the hosts were eager to continue their winning run.
Sandbach named an unchanged squad after their emphatic victory against Crewe & Nantwich two weeks ago, a clear sign of their confidence and intent.
Before the match got underway there was a moment of silence in memory of Patryk Milner, who passed away four years ago.
A line of soft toys decorated the side of the pitch, a poignant reminder of a tragic loss but also a celebration of a young life.
The toys were to be donated to those less fortunate and the Patryk Milner Memorial Day was under way.
With the wind behind them, Douglas kicked off and Sandbach immediately showed how they were intending to play as they attacked and moved the ball quickly.
It was a fast first five minutes with lots of pressure applied by the Bach.
Sandbach’s opening try came after ten minutes and was an incredible team effort. With a lineout in their half, the maul drove towards their 22m line.
Credit: Paul Cooke
Scrum-half Laurie Essenhigh went blindside and passed to winger Matt Randle. He returned the pass as Essenhigh darted between Douglas’ defence.
The ball went wide and the Bach had plenty of players in support. Winger Eliott Morris took possession and crossed over for the try.
Henry Mitchell converted to give Sandbach a 7-0 lead.
The second try came from a brilliant 50:22 kick by Randle, which gifted Sandbach with an attacking lineout. The ball shifted along the line and Ryan Arundale powered over.
Another successful conversion and the Bach were leading 14-0.
There was no stopping Sandbach as their third try came from a quick tap and go penalty by Essenhigh. With Douglas left scrambling, Essenhigh found Morris who scored his second try of the afternoon.
Douglas were struggling to progress in Sandbach’s half and it wasn’t long before the Bach were attacking again.
Full-back Harry Leese gathered the ball from a kick and made an excellent run.
Sandbach edged closer as they worked the phases and it was Essenhigh’s turn to open his scoring account as he secured to secure the four try bonus point.
Mitchell slotted the kick and after 33 minutes the score was 26-0.
Credit: Paul Cooke
Douglas had been putting in some huge tackles but Sandbach’s centre George Cole, who would go on to win the player of the match award, put in a massive tackle of his own and attempted to drag the player into touch.
Douglas had a few more chances but an over kick and a knock on left them still searching for points as the first half ended.
Sandbach opened the second half with a try within three minutes. Hooker Will Bowbeer snatched the ball from Douglas’s fumbled lineout to surge over the try line.
Mitchell’s kick put the Bach up to 33-0.
Douglas finally got their first try when a maul from a lineout thundered through from 22m out. They would go on to dominate the next 10 minutes and it was a testing period for Sandbach.
Mitchell used the wind to his advantage as he kicked a penalty from his own half into Douglas’ 22.
Penalties were awarded to both teams, but it was the Bach who ended up with a lineout 5m out.
Another penalty was awarded and as he was in touching distance, Essenhigh inevitably went quickly to catch Douglas off guard and score his second try.
Douglas got themselves an easy seven points as they were awarded a penalty try but a few minutes later, Randle’s speed on the wing put Sandbach in a perfect position.
The offload found Essenhigh in support and he took the invitation for his hat trick of tries.
Douglas got another try shortly after and successfully converted to make the scores 43-21 with 10 minutes remaining.
Credit: Paul Cooke
After the restart it was Morris’ turn to earn his hat trick with a stunning individual try.
He weaved his way past flying defenders from the halfway line and at one point it looked as though he was caught, but it seems little can stop the winger when he’s hungry for a try.
The final play saw Mike Eggleston break through the Douglas defence with replacement Ali Burton in support. Burton offloaded to Randle on the wing and he made an acrobatic leap for the line.
This would have been one of the tries of the season, but the referee deemed that he had gone into touch and called an end to the game. The final score was Sandbach 50-21 Douglas.
It was a spirted second half from Douglas, who came out fighting, but Sandbach dominated and their impressive and slick attack proved decisive.
Next week they face a strong test when they travel to top of the table Firwood Waterloo, who have yet to lose this season.
Next match: Firwood Waterloo 1st XV vs Sandbach 1st XV — Saturday 19th October – The Memorial Ground, Blundellsands
