1st Team

Caldy 30 - Sandbach 28 Sun 26 August 2012    Jack Seddon draws the man With the official start to their league programme just 6 days away, Sandbach travelled to Caldy for their 1st truly competitive game of the season. Caldy are a well drilled outfit who narrowly missed promotion to National League 1 last season, being unlucky to lose the final play-off match against legendary Richmond Rugby Club. Sandbach on the other hand, newly promoted to National 3 Midlands, weren’t quite sure what to expect, but knew it would be difficult!  Benny Elliott Keeping his eye on the ball The opening exchanges all went to Caldy, with Sandbach taking time to adjust to the pace of the game and the speed that the ball was recycled. Despite this Sandbach shocked the hosts when Will Cargill kick a long range drop goal from 30metres. This score seemed to awaken the home side and they pushed up a gear and scored two tries in quick succession to take a 12-3 lead after 15 minutes.Sandbach however showed great composure and began to build their own game. The visitors pack worked very hard against the experienced home side and the back row trio of Ally Burton, Ross Sutherland and Jack Seddon tackled Sandbach back into the game. Finally Sandbach were rewarded as they scored a trademark try, with fast hands giving Jack Leech the centimetres required to cross the line. Benny Elliott converted. Just before the half-time break, marauding Sandbach 2nd Row Matt Jackson stepped through the gain line and flipped the ball to centre Matt Pollen who made no mistake in taking the 5 points. With almost the final kick of the half Elliot converted a massive penalty to leave the visitors 12-18 ahead at the break.Caldy opened the 2nd period in a much more resolute mood and pressured the Sandbach defence for long periods, forcing them to concede a number of penalties, two of which were converted. Sandbach wouldn’t lie down though and slick recycling following a kick and chase gave Jackson an opportunity to score and he doesn’t miss many from 3 metres! Elliott converted. Caldy came back again though with a well organised pushover try following 5 minutes of intense pressure inside the Sandbach 5 metre line.With 3 minutes to play Sandbach were still leading 23-28 and mounted another attack in their opponent’s half. Unfortunately a quick turnover gave Caldy the ball and as the clock ticked down they moved steadily towards the Sandbach line. In the final minute of the game, Caldy’s County Prop “Degsey” took the ball at pace from 8 metres out and despite valiant efforts from Sandbach managed to score the try. 28 all! Caldy then kicked the long range conversion to take the game.It’s difficult to judge relative performances on these cup games and nobody will really know whether both sides fielded their strongest 15, but Sandbach enjoyed the work-out and learned much about the game at this level and some of the newer combinations available this season.Sandbach start their National 3: League campaign on Saturday with the exciting prospect of a visit from newly promoted Midlanders Derby RUFC. Kick-Off 3.00pm