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Under 9's Cheshire Cup |
Tournament played at Wirral RFC - Sunday 13 May 2001
At the end of a long and faltering season, a faltering performance in our opening group match, resulted in a 2 try's to 1 deficit against Ashton on Mersey. Failure to apply enough downward pressure on a ball over the line was the culmination of a game where all the hard work put in on the training ground over recent weeks seemed to confuse us more than the opponents. Micheal Nicholson scored the Sandbach try, but we never really got out of the blocks in terms of putting together a team performance.
The second game however, showed what the lads could really do, as everyone focused and ended up on the right side of a 30 point to 5 scoreline. 2 tries for Barton, and one each for Nicholson, Jepson, Connolly and Edmonstone, gave a deserved victory over local rivals Congleton.
Last up in our league section were Wirral, who came to us undefeated. If we could win, then we were in with a chance of reaching the knockout stage.
This was a a real nail biter, both teams matched for commitment and skill, and effects of the hot weather. Wirral took the lead, which left the Sandbach team with an uphill task. They rose to this magnificently, camped for long periods in the final third of the pitch, and eventually a dazzling and dazed run by Rory Barton evened the score. Continued pressure from Sandbach, fine tackling, quick ball and positive passing were to no avail, and our luck ran out as the game ended following a knock on after a difficult pass, when a bit of good luck would have seen the Sandbach winger over in the corner for a winning try.
Overall, the team played splendidly, and had there been a quarter final stage, we would have made it through. The lads were certainly improving as time went along. A special thanks to all the parents who as ever were vocal and supportive, continuing their efforts as has been the case throughout the whole season.
Lloyd
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