Telford Training Tournament - Plate Winners
Group games
Sandbach 5 v 20 Stourbridge - try scorer Oliver Holme
Bridgnorth 10 v 0 Sandbach
Newport 15 v 5 Sandbach - try score Oliver Holmes
Plate competition
Semi Final
Telford 0 v 10 Sandbach - try scorers Louis Hurst & Ewan Ashman
Final
Bridgnorth 0 v 10 Sandbach - try scorers Louis Hurst & Ewan Ashman
Although we had a few players absent due to injury and illness, a strong squad travelled to Telford for a 15-man training tournament, where coaches are allowed on the pitch during matches to help organisation the team at an early stage in the boys junior rugby. There was a competitive edge from all the teams and this was certainly going to be a good challenge for the boys. There was a tremendous effort from all the boys in the group games and although losing all three matches, they were mainly lost to breakaway tries - get used to this in the early days of 15-man rugby!!!
The structure of the competition pushed Sandbach into the plate competition, giving them the opportunity to recover something from the day and they took it with both hands. Especially impressive work from the forwards prevented both Telford and Bridgenorth entering our 22 in both the semi and the final respectively. A great team effort won the plate and this turnaround in fortunes could prove a significant point in an early part of the season. The first season fixture against a strong Macclesfield squad and defeat in all group games of this tournament would have seen lesser squads collapse and offer little resistance in the plate competition. The squad have shown great character and we can build on this for the rest of the season. Well done to everyone.
Thanks to Telford for your hospitality and organisation.