On a typical December’s morning at Bradwall Road, windy, cold and wet we welcomed our North Wales counterparts Mold.
In the early stages Sandbach adapted to the conditions the better of the two sides, the early dominance was rewarded with Pembo driving over from short distance after good work by the pack, dead eye Bordill converted the try.
The Sandbach lead was soon reduced by a good Mold try who exploited the full width of the pitch to score in the corner.
This score raised the spirits of Mold and they took the lead after sustained pressure in the Sandbach 22 was rewarded by a try which was duly converted.
Right on half time after some good interchanges by both the forwards and the backs the terminator Murray (yes he’s back from injury) cut though the Mold defence to score in the corner. Dead eye missed the difficult kick.
12 each at half time was a fair reflection of the first half.
After half time Sandbach used the ball better and kept Mold in their 22 for long periods, this dominance was rewarded with “dead eye Bordill” powering over to score in the corner.
Straight from the kick off Mold were on equal terms again, after 2 very basic errors gifted possession back to Mold and they scored an unconverted try. Mold seemed to get a second wind (no pun intended) and they again took the lead from a quick break out from just inside their own half they recycled the ball from a rolling maul to score an excellent converted try.
The game took another twist with Pembo raising from his sick bed to power over and dead eye converted to tie the scores at 24 each. With both teams now going for the win the games deciding try came from a Mold line out on their 22 line which was won at the front by Pembo who then managed to score with half the Mold team on his back, dead eye again converted, and the final score finished 31-24 to Sandbach.
Full credit to both sides for putting on an entertaining game of rugby in very difficult conditions, many of the players on both sides were struggling with injuries at the end but sheer will power kept them going.
Thanks to Mold for agreeing to the fixture at such short notice, and a special thank you to all the parents and spectators for your support on such an awful day.