A large squad turnout and beautiful sunshine resulted in a great morning at the Vagrants for all involved. Sandbach brought enough players for two teams and taught us a lesson in superb vocal support from both the youngsters and their parents watching!
It was our first chance to try out our two ‘competition’ teams for this season – the Warriors and the Ninjas; and neither team disappointed in their commitment, support, discipline and ‘never say die’ attitude. Praise must go to the coaches too for the way they marshalled and encouraged the children throughout all matches.
Mike Whittick taking the opportunity to get some pre-tournament practice in; refereed all the matches superbly, demonstrating complete fairness with his own quiet authority. Thanks Mike!

Match 1 – WON (Crewe & Nantwich ‘Warriors’ 5 v Sandbach 4)
With both teams fired-up for action, the first match swung one way then the other. It was great to see the visitors showing intelligence by ensuring they kept onside during their passing play – a lesson for our team to learn there! ...but we had brilliant runners on our own counter-attack. I think I counted Rory Pillar darting across the pitch three times in one play before he saw a clear view of the try-line and went for it! It was great to see James Johnson getting his second try of the year too!

Try scorers : Rory Pillar (2), Ben Digby (1), James Johnson (1), Bill Putt (1)


Match 2 – DREW (Crewe & Nantwich ‘Ninjas’ 4 v Sandbach 4)
Experience told in this closely fought match and there was some great attacking play on display again by our Ninjas! Max Ramsay, nursing a slight leg injury still managed to torment the Sandbach defence with his nifty side-steps to get his tries, and Adam Deegan demonstrated his now ‘trademark’ great support play, to be there when needed to touch down for his two tries. Great composure from the lad too!

Try scorers : Adam Deegan (2), Max Ramsay(2)


Match 3 – WON (Crewe & Nantwich ‘Warriors’ 5 v Sandbach 2)
With a slight switch in team personnel (Adam Deegan for Bill Putt); our Warriors hit the ground running and stormed into an unassailable lead within the first two minutes. Sandbach hit back with two great individual tries too, but it was all too little, too late. Ben Blakemore finished the game off with his second try of the season with a jinking little run that caught the Sandbach defence by surprise. He’s been close on numerous times over recent weeks so it was terrific to see Ben take some personal pleasure from his try – great stuff!

Try scorers : Rory Pillar (2), Adam Deegan (2), Ben Blakemore (1)


Match 4 – LOST (Crewe & Nantwich ‘Ninjas’ 1 v Sandbach 2)
We deserved more from this last match than the score-line suggested. It was a tight but somewhat messy final game with both teams ‘fluffing their final passes’, but the organisation and positional play by our Ninjas really stood out. Regan Davies produced a great performance with her tagging and strong running with the ball in hand and surely her first try in club colours is only just round the corner!

Try scorers : Max Ramsay(1)


‘Warriors’ Squad :
Harry Bromley, Ben Blakemore, Ben Digby, Oliver Griffiths, James Johnson, Molly Manaton, Rory Pillar, Bill Putt

‘Ninjas’ Squad :
Jamie Bailey, Samuel Birch, Regan Davies, Adam Deegan, Callum Frazer, Louis Leonard, Thomas Marshall, Max Ramsay, Max Holdcroft