Under 08

Sandbach 30 - Preston Grasshoppers 15 Sun 17 December 2000 After being forced to wait for over half an hour whilst other games were played, we eventually decided to cone out another pitch on the 3rd team mud-bath to prevent any of the players from developing hypothermia. We were confronted with a Preston side that had brought three (yes 3) teams of under 8's with them, so were capable of playing the triangular tournament all by themselves!! Whether the soft going suited Sandbach, or just that the Preston team had been forced to wait for so long before playing, the match always looked to be going in favour of the home team. By half time the score was 15-5 to Sandbach, all three tries the result of space being created out wide and Sandbach beginning to realise that they should use it. In the second half further good support play resulted in 3 more tries as the visitors struggled at times to make progress against a fast Sandbach defence. A couple of late tries by Preston made the score look closer than reality. Try scorers: Jepson, Moore (2), Bordill (2), Barton. Sandbach 20 - Preston Grasshoppers 10 Due to the number of Preston players, a second game was arranged against them. This turned out to be a closer fought match, possibly due to some of the Sandbach players beginning to tire. It was also a more physical game, with the players needing to be reminded that it was touch tackling and nor were they allowed to barge into defenders. Roll on next year!! All the same, the general run of play was similar to the first game with the visitors at times making long desperate passes to try to escape the rapidly approaching Sandbach defence. This inevitably caused problems in the slippery conditions and Sandbach were able to capitalise on these. From 10-5 up at half time, the score was extended to 20-10 at full time. Try scorers: Robinson (2), Moore, Burrows. Derek Jepson ============================================================ UNDER 7's MATCH REPORT SANDBACH 35 PRESTON GRASSHOPPERS 35. Following their visit to Whitchurch, the Under 7?s were confident on building upon this success against the visitors from Lancashire. It was apparent from the start that Preston presented a much sterner challenge, and our opponents adapted quicker to the cold, and wet conditions. Ball-handling proved difficult for Sandbach in the first half, and spilled passes resulted in the loose ball being collected by a hungry Preston team, who were able to dominate the game and run in five tries to take a commanding half ?time lead of 25-10. The half-time interval was used to install much needed discipline to the Sandbach line. The second-half saw a transformation, with Sandbach maintaining the offensive, attacking with movement and pace, with resulting tries, which saw Sandbach take a 35-30 lead with the final whistle awaited. Despite valiant tackling, Preston kept possession, and held their concentration, to score a last gasp equaliser, which saw honours shared in what was a thrilling, competitive, and well-matched encounter. Paul Moore.