It was as near to perfect playing conditions (except for a bit of a wind blowing down the pitch) that we could wish for, as we welcomed Stockport to Bradwall Rd for a game of 3 x 20min.
Stockport have had some very strong results this season and we fully expected a tough game - especially after seeing the size of them!
This was still a strong team we put out and the coaches gave both the backs and forwards set instructions for the game which they followed perfectly and with a lot of intensity and hard work allowed them to come away with a stunning win, playing their best rugby of the season!
We kicked off with the wind behind us and straight away got on the front foot, the forwards won the ball and bulldozed into the Stockport 22, went through a couple of phases then taken on again by the forwards driving over for the first try after little more than a minute. This was just the start we needed and we kept the same level of intensity going throughout the first half with all the backs and forwards making some tremendous tackles putting all Stockports big men and strong runners down, winning rucks, support play, getting the ball through hands and out to the wingers. The coaches couldn't believe how well the boys were playing, doing everything we asked of them and getting three more tries in the first half.
We fully expected Stockport to come back at us strongly in the second half so kept with the 15 that had played so well in the first half and it was fully justified as the Sandbach boys took it up another level or two running in a further six tries, including ( believe it or not ) tries from each of our wingers!!
Special mention must go to Leo's try which has to be a very very strong contender for try of the season - the forwards won the ball at the far side of the pitch, our scrum half ( who was everywhere) got the ball out to our back row who had all joined the line, the ball went out through hands right across the width of the pitch reaching our FB who put the final pass out to Leo on the wing, he still had a good forty meters to go, with four Stockport players coming across to cut him off Leo pinned his ears back and sped past them before cutting in to go under the posts receiving the biggest cheer of the day. What a try!
This was definitely the best 40mins rugby the Sandbach U13's have played all season.
In all we had eight different try scorers ( must be a first for us ) with a total of ten tries and two conversions, with no scores conceded.
Try scorers - Harry D, Leo, Matty B, Tom W, Lawrence, Gilly, Billy(2), Ewan (2) Conversions - Kieran (2)
A brilliant display lads, lets keep it going for the rest of the season! Thanks to Stockport for battling to the end and we hope to see yo again soon.