Lessons Learned - Match Won!

In a sporting but combative contest, Sandbach/Northwich/Manchester again showed powerful forward play, but pleasingly were not afraid to release their rapid backs to do the damage on the scoreboard.

The first exchanges were not promising with both teams gifting a try to their opponents, Hannah Johnson being the first beneficiary before the hosts were allowed to equalise. From that score on, every point was hard earned with some excellent defence and some penetrating attacks by both sides.

After conceding Caldy’s first score, a period of sustained forward pressure brought Amy Johnson agonisingly close to scoring but she was unable to force her way over the line. In support, Mollie Latham was able to take advantage of the position that Amy had established and charged over for the score. Nieve Jones converted to bring the score to 12-5.

From the restart, Jordan Morris made good progress along the right wing back into the Caldy half before being forced into touch. The momentum was regained when Sandbach stole the lineout and the backs were able to stretch the Caldy defence. A neat offload by Amy Lees freed Hannah to touch down in the same place as her first try.

A period of excellent running rugby by both teams followed, matched by solid defence. Sandbach had the territory advantage however before a knock on looked as if it would bring some relief to Caldy deep in their 22. Caldy duly won the scrum, but Nieve had targeted their inside centre and that pressure forced the ball free for Jordan to pick up and score under the posts.

Caldy continued to press however and were unlucky not to breach Sandbach’s defence with Amber Smith doing well to hold up an attack close to her line. From the resulting loose ball, Sandbach were able to clear and the battle continued between the 10m lines. Whenever the game became tight, Jess Gurney, drafted in to the front row for this game, showed her utility player experience well, knowing when to lend support to the forwards and when to step into the back line. This streetwise approach allowed Sandbach to turn round with a deserved 22-5 lead.

The second half started as the first had finished with the forwards working hard to establish a platform for their backs. The Sandbach forwards were well aware of the danger that their backs posed, and this was well demonstrated by Katie Morten who split the Caldy defence with a super run from the 10m line to score the first try of the second half. Jordan converted to put Sandbach in control at 29-5.

Harriet thought that she had got the second try of the half after some strong aggressive running by Alyx Maw had taken Sandbach back into the Caldy half. Unfortunately she was quite rightly brought back for a knock on, just inside the Caldy 22, five metres in from the right touchline. The scrum caused some problems for the front rows, leading to physio treatment for hooker Megan Pancutt. As a result, the teams were given the option to play uncontested scrums. Megan showed great character by not only turning that offer down, but hooking to win the ball against the head. The reward was a flowing move across the pitch to Hannah on the left wing who touched down. From well wide of the posts, Nieve converted impressively to take the score to 36-5.

Some excellent work along the opposite flank saw Harriet and Amber exchanging passes to take the ball back deep into Caldy’s half. As the move broke down, the forwards were aggressive in their support, allowing Jordan to make the decisive run in for her second try.

Caldy continued to push and were rewarded when the ball was spilled in midfield and they were quick to work the advantage, running in from half way to double their points tally.

Sandbach were clearly unhappy with their lapse and the backs took it upon themselves to make amends with yet another flowing move across the pitch leaving Hannah with some work to do against a quickly regrouping defence before scoring her fourth try of the day in the corner.

Caldy were determined to have the last word, and after a period of pressure around Sandbach’s 22, they almost made the telling break before being adjudged to have been held up on the line. From the scrum five, a well worked interchange resulted in deserved try, converted to close the scoring at 46-17 to Sandbach.

Special mention should be given to Sandbach players Rachel Graham and Natalie Pearson who were loaned to Caldy for the afternoon. Caldy’s coach was rightly full of praise for both their commitment and performance against their team mates. Their willingness to play for our opponents really helped to make the match an enjoyable contest for all the players.