2nd Team

Rochdale 2 8 - Sandbach 7 Sat 22 September 2012 The second team headed to Rochdale for what was expected to be a tough game, with Rochdale only losing one of their opening three games. In great playing conditions and Ray Jones leading the boys out hoping to maintain the 100% start to the season the Bach started slowly and Rochdale came out firing. Under a lot of early pressure Sandbach tried to run their way out of their own 22, Rochdale forced a knock on and with good hands slipped the ball to the right wing where the scored in the corner. The conversion was missed leaving the home side 5-0 up.The rest of the half showed great defence from both sides, so neither side made much of an impression. Sandbach made a couple of line breaks toward the end of the half, but over ambitious off loads resulted in knock ons and turnovers.The start of the second half was again dominated by defence, with both packs working over time. The Sandbach pack started to get the upper hand with the ball deep in the Rochdale 22 Andy Pipe muscling his way over for a score and George Oakey adding the extras. The score now standing at 7-5 to Sandbach, with around half an hour remaining on the clock.Sandbach then started to take control and creating a number of chances. The first created by a standard Ray Jones route one charge only to be held up over the line by some last ditch Rochdale defence. Ray soon had his chance to make amends with an intelligent box kick from Oakey and the line begging Ray Jones knocked on and the chance had gone. Further chances were manufactured by the Bach with Andy Funnel cutting a great line though the midfield only to be dragged down a couple of meters short.The clock was ticking down and Sandbach were camped on the Rochdale line, only being keep out by some fantastic defensive work from 1 to 15. With only two minutes left on the clock and the Bach close to securing their fourth win of the season and going 3pts clear at the top of the table frustration got the better them. Sandbach conceded a penalty deep in the Rochdale 22, but disappointingly decided to argue the point and where promptly marched 10. With Rochdale now out of their 22 and on a roll, they earned more penalties and more ill discipline from Sandbach put them in range of a shot at goal. With no time left on the clock the Rochdale 10 stepped up and slotted the 3 points to earn his side a 8-7 victory with the very last play of the game.A disappointing finish to a very tight contest poor discipline being a stand out factor, but congratulation to Rochdale on a hard-fought victory.