SPIRITED SANDBACH MAKE LEAGUE LEADERS WORK FOR WIN
by Rhys Fullerton
Sandbach 1st XV 22–37 North Ribblesdale 1st XV
Saturday 7th March – Kick-off 3.00pm
Northern Division – Regional 2 North West
Bradwall Road, Sandbach
‘Bach remain firmly in the playoff hunt with three league games to go
Saturday’s highly anticipated top-of-the-table clash between first and second lived up to its billing. It was North Ribblesdale’s first ever visit to Bradwall Road, and they handed the Bach their first home loss of the season.
Sandbach led at the end of the first half, but the Yorkshire outfit came out stronger in the second half to see off a spirited home side and take the five points, cementing their position at the top of the table. The Bach dropped down to third, but remain firmly in the playoff hunt.
Sandbach made one change after last week’s emphatic win over West Park (St Helens), with George Cole back in the team after an injury, replacing Harry Leese. Cole was on the wing for his first appearance of 2026, with Matt Randle shifting to full-back.
Sandbach stuck to their game plan of getting points on the board when they opted for the kick from an early penalty. Moments before, winger Elliot Morris went quickly from a penalty, and with the opposition not back 10m, they were penalised. There was no quick tap this time, and spot-kicker Randle calmly stepped up and took the first points of the day.
From then on, it was a fast and physical ten minutes until a repeat of the earlier infringement, with Morris taking the quick tap-and-go and picking up another penalty. Randle slotted the kick and Sandbach were leading 6–0.
There were some big tackles from Sandbach, with Cole, lock Tom Holmes, hooker Matt Davies and others doing what was required to stop the opposition. A few minutes later, and with a penalty on halfway, Randle attempted a long-range effort, which had the distance but just went wide.
Sandbach then put in an immense defensive stint to keep North Ribblesdale at bay. Callum Oakden showed his class with a try-stopping tackle on the line before the lock and flanker Mike Butler manoeuvred the attacker into touch. However, the league leaders stole the lineout from 5m out, and with numbers out wide they went over for the try.
From the restart, Randle made an enticing run and Sandbach were awarded a penalty, before ending up with a lineout in the opposition twenty-two. From another lineout, scrum-half and captain Laurie Essenhigh went darting off, changing direction twice. The attackers went through several phases as they edged closer, and the ball went back to the skipper, who darted over for the try.
Towards the end of the half, a Sandbach maul from a lineout rumbled towards halfway before picking up a penalty. The home side moved upfield with another lineout in North Ribblesdale’s twenty-two, and the maul marched towards the line. A further penalty was awarded to Sandbach and they chose to go for the points again, which Randle duly secured.
Before halftime, North Ribblesdale got their second try of the day when they went over from close range, but Sandbach went in with a narrow 14–12 lead.
In the second half, the travelling side spent a period in and around Sandbach’s twenty-two, but the hosts defended well and were back in North Ribblesdale’s half soon after. With a penalty awarded, they went once more for the points and Randle took the three from close range.
North Ribblesdale went ahead for the first time when they scored a try on the wing, and ten minutes later, they would score again. Sandbach had a player in the sin-bin, and with numbers out wide, the visitors dotted down.
From the restart, Morris sped off to take the catch and pushed further forward. He offloaded to Jack Seddon and Sandbach picked up a penalty 5m out. From the lineout, replacement Ryan Arundale, who brought fresh energy onto the pitch, got close to the line. Sandbach then had another penalty and Essenhigh took it quickly and almost put Arundale through. Another penalty was awarded, and from the lineout, the maul burst towards the line before Davies crashed over for the try.
In the final ten minutes, North Ribblesdale responded and increased their lead. Despite a big defensive effort from Sandbach, including a huge shot from Oakden, the league leaders scored another try. Before the final whistle, the visitors put the game out of reach with two penalty kicks and the match ended 22–37.
With a rest week ahead, Sandbach will be back in action a week on Saturday when they host local rivals Winnington Park. When the two teams met in November, Sandbach lost by two points. This time, there is much more at stake than bragging rights, and Sandbach will be focused on securing the win and a playoff place.
NEXT MATCH
Sandbach 1st XV Vs Winnington Park 1st XV
Saturday 21st March – Kick-off 3pm
Bradwall Road, Sandbach
