On Wednesday afternoon the 1st XV faced Sandbach in the Northern Area Final of the Daily Mail Vase competition. Confidence was high following the teams strong performance the week prior against King James’s Knaresborough, and that confidence followed the team onto the pitch as they started the match the much stronger team.
We quickly took the lead in the first half with team captain, Grant Connon scoring a drop kick and Chris Auld crossing the line to score a try. The team piled the pressure onto Sandbach with some slick passing and probing runs testing the opposition’s defense. Sandbach, however resisted the our pressure and slowly fought their way back into the match. Towards the end of the first half, and following a defensive error, Sandbach scored a try. The first half ended 11-7.
In the second half we were playing against the wind, and Sandbach used this to their full advantage kicking the team back into deep into their own territory. Sandbach also piled on the pressure in the rucks and scrums. The team were having to overcommit players leaving gaps in the field and some slick passing from Sandbach allowed them to score. A late rally from did give some hope of a come back, but Sandbach stood firm and they were unable to get the ball over the line. The final score was 27-11 in favour of Sandbach.
Following the match, Mr Tiffen said “both teams are to be congratulated for the way they approached the tie. All the boys were desperate to win and progress on in the competition, however this year it was not to be. They should all be proud of themselves for the performances they have put in both in this game and preceding games.”
