Credit: Andy Mitchell
The Bach produce a comfortable win with seven tries and a clean sheet – match report by Rhys Fullerton
Sandbach 1st XV 43-0 Widnes 1st XV
Saturday 26th October – 3pm
Northern Division – Regional 2 North West
Bradwall Road, Sandbach
After last week’s 27-15 defeat at the hands of league leaders Firwood Waterloo, Sandbach were keen to return to winning ways.
There were three changes to the matchday squad with Ali Burton, Laurie Essenhigh and Tom Homes all returning.
Newly promoted Widnes were the visitors to Bradwall Road and they’ve had a positive start to their first league campaign at level six for almost a decade, with three wins out of six.
Widnes dominated the opening few minutes and had plenty of possession, but a penalty kick to halfway by fly-half Henry Mitchell gave Sandbach an opening into the game.
The first try of the afternoon came as Sandbach moved the ball wide with some slick passing.
A pass to the wing and then back inside found Jack Seddon in space to score.
Matt Randle was on kicking duties today and he converted to give Sandbach a 7-0 lead after nine minutes.
The referee had a word with Widnes after a few more penalties were conceded and Sandbach earned a lineout in Widnes’ half.
From 22m out, the rolling maul thundered towards the line. Widnes did their best to stop it and the referee called once but it continued its momentum.
The ball slipped to Ali Burton who claimed the try.
Credit: Andy Mitchell
Widnes were struggling to contain the Bach as winger Randle was getting into the thick of it with a couple of promising runs.
However, it was the forwards who were securing the points and after 20 minutes Callum Oakden got the third try of the day and the successful conversion put Sandbach comfortably ahead.
At 19-0 Widnes needed to get into the game, but Sandbach weren’t giving an inch.
A run on the wing by Widnes looked promising but a huge tackle by outside centre George Cole ended any chance as he dragged the player into touch.
A yellow card for Widnes gave Sandbach the opportunity to secure a four-try bonus point.
A lineout from 15m out led to another rolling maul and once again Burton was the one to burst over the line for his second try.
Widnes’ most promising attack was at the end of the half as they chipped the ball over the top of Sandbach’s defence.
Randle was covering and gathered the ball under pressure. He managed to find touch and end the half with his sliced kick to deny Widnes any points.
Sandbach led at half-time, 24-0.
Credit: Andy Mitchell
Sandbach kicked off the second half and once Widnes returned to 15 players, they were constantly trying to play the ball as their search for points continued.
But a Sandbach lineout found Cole in space and he found a gap to run into the opposition half.
Cole found winger Elliott Morris who used his speed to score in the corner.
A stunning conversion from Randle extended the lead to 31-0 after 48 minutes.
After the restart there was a period where Widnes were on the back foot and couldn’t get the ball out of their 22.
Every time Sandbach got close, a penalty would be awarded against them and gave the opposition a chance to exit.
When Widnes did attack, Sandbach kept defending and despite their best efforts, Widnes were still scoreless.
Discipline was becoming a problem as the penalties kept on mounting for both sides.
A kick and chase by Morris resulted in a yellow card for the winger as he clattered into a Widnes player and more ill-discipline ensured as both sides clashed after a tackle on Essenhigh.
Two more yellow cards were produced, one for Widnes and one for Sandbach’s Tom Namguads and the penalty was awarded to the opposing side.
It was becoming chaotic, but Sandbach’s healthy lead gave them control.
Credit: Andy Mitchell
Will Bowbeer produced a crunching tackle as both teams tried to deal with the change in numbers and extra space on the field.
A try from Mike Butler finally added more points to Sandbach’s tally to end a scoreless 30 minutes.
The final play of the day saw another fine run by Randle. He produced a magnificent offload to scrum-half Essenhigh, who ran half of the field to score under the posts.
The easy kick made the final score 43-0. Ryan Arundale picked up the player of the match award.
It was a well-earned clean sheet for Sandbach. The yellow cards and chaotic second half didn’t detract from a confident and comfortable win.
There is no change at the top of the table as Sandbach remain in third place behind Bowdon and leaders Firwood Waterloo.
With no games next weekend, the Bach will enjoy the rest and they can refocus before their trip to Eccles.
Next match: Eccles 1st XV vs Sandbach 1st XV — Saturday 9th November – Gordon Street, Eccles
