Sandbach 1st XV 17, Vale of Lune 1st XV 5
(Regional Two North West)
Sandbach beat Vale of Lune on Saturday in a thrilling contest between second and third place.
After an entertaining but scoreless first half, things opened up slightly in the second half and a brace from Ben Verbickas, as well as accuracy off the tee from Henry Mitchell, sealed the crucial win, (writes Rhys Fullerton).
There was a welcome return to the team for winger Elliot Morris, whose pace and experience would prove beneficial.
He was joined by player/head coach Tom Holmes and Jack Seddon, who would help bolster the pack and provide leadership in defence.
From the whistle, Sandbach’s defence put in a huge first half shift as Vale of Lune showed their physicality and quality. Both teams missed penalty kicks but there were still other opportunities for points, which were not taken.
Sandbach’s captain and scrum-half Laurie Essenhigh was busy pulling the strings and threatening Vale of Lune’s defence.
Morris made several enticing runs, as did Rhys John on the other wing.
Harry Leese, who was back at full-back after covering centre recently, came close to scoring from a neat chip through.
A kick chase from Vale of Lune, which they caught, took them into Sandbach’s half.
They moved through the phases putting pressure on the defence.
A missed pass moved them back out of Sandbach’s 22, and from there the defence continued to hold the visitors back.
Vale picked up a penalty and then had a threatening scrum from 5m out. However, Sandbach managed to steal it and clear their lines. The half ended in stalemate.
Impressive
From a Sandbach lineout early in the second half, there was impressive fast hands from Essenhigh, Mitchell and George Perkins. The ball moved wide but came back inside as prop Archie Lea linked with the tireless Essenhigh. The skipper found Morris on the wing and he moved forwards. The winger returned the pass to Essenhigh who had his sights on the line, only to be taken down by a huge Vale of Lune tackle.
There was more positive attack play from Sandbach, but it was Vale of Lune who opened the scoring with a try on 48 minutes when they found a rare gap in the hosts’ defence.
There was an energy shift from the restart as Morris’ catch took back possession. A few minutes later, Sandbach had a penalty, which was just shy of halfway.
Mitchell made an excellent kick to move them up the field. From the lineout the maul moved into Vale of Lune’s 22 before the ball came out and made its way to Verbickas.
The outside centre, on his third start this season, ran a lovely angle to get through and dot down for the try. Mitchell slotted the conversion and Sandbach took the lead after 63 minutes.
Penalty
Vale of Lune picked up a penalty and then a lineout in Sandbach’s 22 as they looked to move upfield. They passed the ball back and their player slipped just as he was about to make a run.
Sandbach’s Jackler quickly got over the ball and earned them an important penalty. Morris went quickly but was impeded before Vale had retreated the required 10m.
Another penalty and Sandbach were back in Vale’s 22.
Despite losing the ball, the home side was awarded a further penalty shortly after and this time they opted for the posts.
Mitchell’s composed kick secured the three points and Sandbach had a five-point lead with 10 minutes left to play.
Minutes later and Sandbach won the ball back from a Vale of Lune lineout on halfway. They attacked once again and Verbickas got hold of the ball.
He broke through several tackles and powered forwards before crashing over the line for his second try. Mitchell kicked the vital extras to move the score to 17-5.
Vale of Lune had one last big attack and got close under the posts. They edged forwards but were eventually held up.
Sandbach cleared and Vale went once more but a penalty was awarded to Sandbach and the final whistle was blown shortly after.
The player of the match award went to Ben Verbickas.
This was an important win for Sandbach against a tough opponent.
They now have a weekend off as four teams, including three from the top four, make up their recent postponed games.
Sandbach will go again at the end of the month when they take on Firwood Waterloo. Depending on how results go on Saturday, the battle at the top of the table could become even more intense and Sandbach are right in the thick of it.
Next match: Firwood Waterloo 1st XV v Sandbach 1st XV, Saturday, 31st January at The Memorial Ground, Blundellsands.
(Photo: Josh Randle).
