5th Team/Vets

Sandbach 43 - Crewe & Nantwich 0 Sat 25 March 2000 This local derby again produced a tough, fully-committed encounter from both sides. The Sandbach forwards dominated the set-pieces throughout, but Crewe were first to the ball in the early loose play. Thus, both sides were fairly even until the end of the first quarter, when superb defensive pressure from the Sandbach backs produced a mistake from the Crewe backs. With the ball bouncing kindly, Sandbach scored a try. A similar sequence was repeated within five minutes. By now, the persistent set-piece pressure was telling on the Crewe forwards and the Sandbach forwards were beginning to get a fair share of the loose ball. This ensured a steady supply of ball which was capitalized on by the Sandbach backs and tries came at ten-minute intervals. A notable hat-trick from outside-half will no doubt also produce the expected "jug" at an appropriate time. For the second week running, a pleasing aspect was the defensive display which produced a zero score-line from the Sandbach opposition. Man-of-the-Match: Tony Walmesly Scorers: Chris Hughes (3T) John Pemberton (1T) Peter Reed (1P,5C) Tony Walmesly (2T) Selection: 1. Julian Hopley 9. Colin Stent 2. Robert Mayor 10. Chris Hughes 3. Roger Bradley 11. Steve Nash 4. Robin Pipe 12. Peter Reed 5. Keith Jones 13. Tony Walmesly 6. John Pemberton 14. Brett Reeves 7. John Richardson 15. Tim Birtles 8. Steve Reeves 16. Ralph Davies 17. Phil Clifton 18. Peter Sherratt