Sandbach 3rds 20 – 21 Lymm Eagles

Eagles Team Match Report | Saturday January 15 2022

Lymm Eagles Beat Table Topping Sandbach In Thriller

Lymm Eagles travelled to Sandbach in the 2nd of 4 away games to start 2022.  Having been narrowly beaten by a youthful Wirral side last week, the team arrived hopeful to get the season back on track.  Sandbach had only lost 1 game this season and in the corresponding fixture at Lymm, had won by a one sided 60-0 score line.  It was evident even before kick-off that Sandbach were well drilled and motivated for the match.  As the veterans of Lymm slowly made their way to pitch side 5 minutes before kick off, stubbing out last minute cigs, applying copious amounts of deep heat to underused muscles and with enough electrical tape holding joints together to keep B&Q open for the next 5 years, they were met with the sight of Sandbach warming up and crashing into tackle bags.  Never a good sign.

The match kicked off with Lymm playing up the hill.  Both teams were well matched in the opening quarter of the game, with perhaps Sandbach having ascendancy in the loose and forward play.  The game was played at a frantic pace, with the referee commenting that he had chosen this game as an “easy” match between 3rd teams and didn’t expect it to be so quick.  The game remained evenly poised until an attacking 5m scrum for Sandbach shunted the Lymm pack back over the line for an unconverted try.  Lymm refused to be downbeat and spent the next 10 minutes with most of the ball and only the odd knock on and mistake preventing a try.  Finally after sustained pressure, Ben Polec broke through the defence and, although hauled down just short of the line, quick ball from scrum half Chris Kinsey allowed fly half Andy Roberts to crash over from short range for a try, converted by Reddicliffe.  The half ended without further score to give Lymm a slender half time lead.

The half time message was to try and keep the ball in hand and keep up the excellent defensive display.  This challenge was met with powerful breaks from Coates and the father and son duo of Max and Jez Ure, who were excellent all day.  The calming duo of Kinsey and Roberts controlled the game in the right areas and kept Lymm on the front foot for much of the half. On 60mins, it was from a quick ball from several forward rumbles that got Lymm into the Sandbach 22.  Quick hands across the backs saw the ball get to Reddicliffe, who sidestepped the full back to score under the posts for a try, with Alan converting his own try.  Back came Sandbach and stung into action by the try, proceeded to hammer the Lymm defensive line.  Lymm tried to cling on but from a 5m scrum, the ball was moved quickly for Sandbach to score a converted try.  This was followed by a penalty kick for Sandbach for hands in the ruck.  Despite the chorus of boos from the Lymm players, who are only used to Baa Baas style rugby and view penalty kicks as an act of cowardice, the kick was successful to give Sandbach a 1 point lead.  For the last 10 minutes, Lymm lost hooker and captain Brown to a head knock, meaning uncontested scrums.  Lymm used this to their advantage and from a scrum, the ball was moved to Reddicliffe who glided in from 30m out and even rounded a defender in goal to ensure an easier conversion, leaving Lymm 6 points up with 9 minutes left.  Sandbach proceeded to hammer the Lymm defence but some heroic tackling and great attitude saw Lymm repel several attacks.  In the last play of the game, Sandbach finally managed to break through but an immense effort from Jez Ure to force the try scorer wide, meant a touch line conversion was required for Sandbach to win.  The kick was missed, much to the delight of the Eagles.

A great victory and a real showing of togetherness from the Vets.  Sandbach were a really good side and very gracious hosts, good luck for the rest of the season.  Next Saturday, the vets travel to 2nd placed Whitchurch 2XV.

1) Ollie Chesworth 2) Ollie Brown 3) Dave Coon 4) Jez Ure 5) Adam Halford 6) Loz Coates 7) Ben Polec 8) Max Ure 9) Chris Kinsey 10)Andy Roberts) 11) Tom Harle 12) Alan Reddicliffe 13) Simon Beards 14) Reece Forest 15) Craig Woolvine  REP 16) Matt Hill 17) Tom Graham

Match Report: Peter & David Coon

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