Under 16

Wilmslow & Macclesfield Sun 21 April 2013 Sunday brought Sandbach back to Wilmslow for a triple header with Macc. Three strong teams on a fine dry day set things up for some excellent rugby, and we were not disappointed. First up Sandbach v Macc and the tone was set straight from the kickoff, both sets of forwards working hard with strong tackles and fiercely contested rucks, but Sandbach have the upper hand working the ball into the Macc half, good movement of the ball to the wing and with a bit of help Ed drives over to score the opening try. conversion missed. Now it is Macc's turn to put on the pressure and they drive Sandbach right to the try line but no further. Great defence and Sandbach win the scrum, from which the ball is cleared, but a great jinking return run sees Macc score a try in the corner. Missed conversion From the kick off Sandbach press again, and once more we are in a closely contested game with both teams working hard, Sandbach continued with the good play of last week with Forwards and backs playing well and moving the ball well. This play leads to Sandbach winning a penalty inside the Macc 22 from which the ball is quickly moved to James who crashes through the Macc line to score.Conversion kicked Sandbach are on top form and there now followed the best try of the season that never was, Ed receives the ball up deep in our half on the left touch line, he drives forward and  Infield, Tom King charges forward to provide support receives the ball offloads to Henry who drives forward before offloading to James to score in the right hand corner. Excellent play, support passing, perfect apart from the touch judge indicating, (quite late) that Ed had put a foot in touch. Still it inspired Sandbach and it is not long before we are driving forward desperate defence see Macc touch down over their own line 5 yd scrum. Huge drive from a dominant pack and Callum dives over to score. Missed conversion Sandbach continue to press with strong play from both teams but Sandbach are definitely on top, and only good defence prevents another score. That is the last chance of the game and Sandbach are worthy winners, an excellent win over Maccelsfield. So just time for a quick drink and a quick chat from the coaches and it is straight into the second game against Wilmslow. From the kick off Sandbach are straight back into their stride a good drive from Owen excellent ruck and the ball is moved through the backs, Tom does a great offload and Sam Jennings is over to score. Jack hits the post with the conversion and it misses. Wilmslow now press hard from the kick off, and as in the first game it is a hard fought game between both sets of forwards with strong tackling, rucks mauls and scrums. Wilmslow pack is strong and it is a fiercely contested game. From an unlucky knock on Wilmslow put in akick deep into Sandbach half, a missed clearance and Wilmslow have an easy score. missed conversion This is followed by more excellent play from both sides again another well placed Wilmslow kick and they are near the try line again. A good line out for Wilmslow, pas drive and they have scored again. Missed conversion From the kick off Sandbach press again keeping the ball in The Wilmslow half, good aggressive play and some good closing down wins Sandbach a scrum from which the ball is fed out well passed along the line to James who runs in to score. this time Jack makes an important conversion which puts Sandbach into a narrow lead. It is now maxim, effort from both sides in an excellent game played in just the right spirit, and a joy to watch for all parents. sandbach are helped by having had an excellent squad turnout, which helps as players are rolled on and off through both games without it affecting the quality of the play. But the play is edging into the Sandbach half and as the clock ticks down Wilmslow go for one last big effort, and win a line out inside the Sandbach 22. Last play of the game, Wilmslow win a good line out and drive forward, but are held by the Sandbach forwards, the attack stalls, but somehow moves midfield, still good defence means Wilmslow are not making progress, and then the killer punch, the ball is fed out to the Wilmslow no10 quick as a flash and a drop goal is perfectly taken, agony and ecstasy on the field as Wilmslow pinch the game by a point. What can you say two fantastic games from Sandbach back to back with hardly a break between. great play from all the lads, and a special mention to everyone who rolled on and off for keeping up the momentum. Well done to Lighty and Stanny for great coaching. As a footnote, the final game followed just as quickly, Macc having had a chance to recover and reorganise came into the last game full of fire drive and passion, and it is clear just how much Sandbach took out of Wilmslow who are heavily beaten by Macc. Thoroughly enjoyable morning, and the whole team should be proud of both performances