The Daniel Baines Division One (The Halbro NW Leagues)
Vale of Lune 2nd XV 17 pts v 31 pts Sandbach 2nd XV
The Vale XV…
James Hesketh
Matthew Davenport
Harm Docter
Isaac Thornton
George Oyston
Kieron Pickup
Jake Wilson
Shannon Morgan
Lee Starkey
Jamie Antcliffe
Josh Mitton
Dave Buchan
Ryan Busby
Cole Donelly
Harrison Dodge
Jarrad McDonald
Thomas Pieto
At the K,O, Sandbach lying sixth in the League Table Vale in seventh.. A tight game, looking at these relative positions was in prospect.

Vale were to have the honour of a female referee Rosie Procter, she was to be supported by Mr. Roger Bowdon, Past President / Chairman of the Society. The Vale XV continues to be a combination of experienced players and young (very) young players. The talent and pace of the younger members of the side is to be seen.

From the K.O. the Vale were clearly on top. George Oyston was prominent in the loose play and was to put in a strong game from 2nd row. (Is he not a prop by trade). Shannon Morgan was playing his usual attacking game and offered a great kick to the Crem corner. From the resultant lineout Dave Buchan was to use his strength to cross close to the posts for a 5 pointer. Ryan Busby had no trouble converting and then within minutes slotted a penalty to move the Vale XV to 10 points to nil.

The Vale threequarters were looking particularly strong in these early phases of the game. Scrum half Lee Starkey (and Manger of the side) was working hard at the base and providing his partner with accurate ball at fly half. Jamie is becoming a key player from Fly Half and certainly enjoys taking the opposition defence on. The three quarter line was looking particularly good. The huge figure of Dave Buchan with Ryan Busby playing alongside him demonstrating his undoubted pace were causing the Sandbach line with problems in the early stages, “Note the Early stages….”

On the wings Josh Mitton – What is his true position ??- was using his strength and Cole Donelly on the opposite wing was deceptive and using his pace and evasiveness when attacking the Sandbach defence. “In the early stages.”Harrison Dodge was picking up long kicks used regularly by the Sandbach side and with his pace running the ball back into the midst of the Sandbach defence. Harrison is a good player !!

Up front once again the front row was fully experienced and with Matti Davenport, Harm Docter -well known by the Sandbach group – and James Hesketh they were not going to give anything away in the srummaging phase. Supported by Isaac Thornton who is now an integral part of the Vale scrum alongside George Oyston they were not taking a backward step in the game as a whole. Things changed when uncontested scrummaging was introduced due to an injury to a Sandbach player.
This move to uncontested affected the scrummage as a whole

At 27 minutes and after a speedy break through the centre of the Vale defence Sandbach posted 5 points followed by a successful conversion. The Vale still in a winning position in these early stages. Please note the early stages !!!
Please note the early stages. The back row of Kieron Pickup. Shannon Morgan and Jake Wilson ( it is a competitive back row and after displaying some attacking and defensive situations were affected in many ways by the move to uncontested. On 45 minutes inevitably Shannon Morgan was to score his textbook try close to the sticks allowing Ryan Busby to convert.

Above I keep mentioning - early stages - … Sandbach were lifting their game and with some deft threequarter play crossed for a 7 pointer. The Vale XV were under some pressure and at this stage the Sandbach XV were looking fit and raring to go. Note they appeared to be fit and as last week at Eccles the Vale XV seemed to slow somewhat. Was it fitness or a just a loss of concentration. ?? Was it the move from contested scrummaging to uncontested ??
The same thing occurred last week at Eccles !! Sandbach were to cross for a further 2 7 pointers taking the final score to 31pts to 17 points. The side now has a rest period on two weeks and must be ready to return in two weeks time at Anselmians where they will be joined by the 1stXV on the journey to South Cheshire.

Man of the Match :- My opinion ---- must go to Keiron Pickup for a non stop display …

Fred Swarbrick