The People Behind the Rugby Programme

While players understandably receive the plaudits on a Saturday afternoon, the success of any rugby club is built upon the dedication, expertise and commitment of a much wider team operating behind the scenes. At Sandbach RUFC, we are fortunate to have a passionate group of coaches, support staff and volunteers who give countless hours to ensure our players can enjoy, develop and perform within a positive rugby environment.

Heading up the coaching team is Tom Holmes, another excellent example of the club's thriving Mini & Junior pathway. Tom spent much of his playing career within the professional game, progressing through Sale Sharks before captaining both Rotherham Titans and Nottingham Rugby. Following his playing career, he returned home to Sandbach with his wife, Alex, and their children, Lexi and Laurie.

Tom combines the demands of leading the rugby programme with running his successful business, Bach 95, whose popular products can often be found on tap in the clubhouse. His experience, leadership and understanding of elite performance environments make him a hugely influential figure within the coaching team.

Another familiar face is Will Cargill, a proud club and school alumnus who progressed through Sandbach's age-group teams and 1st XV before embarking on an outstanding university and professional career. While studying, Will was recognised as BUCS Player of the Year, represented England Students and collected a Championship winner's medal. He then went on to make more than 100 professional appearances for Cornish Pirates.

Will remains deeply connected to the club and brings his experiences from the professional game back into the coaching environment. He lives locally with his wife and their three children, Bill, Indie and Sonny. Will is sponsored by Mr Paul Jackson.

Development is a major focus for the senior programme, and Lee Pickles plays a huge role in driving that area. Another homegrown Sandbach talent and former Sandbach School pupil, Lee is currently Head of Rugby at Lymm High School and brings an impressive coaching CV to the club. Previous roles have included Head Coach positions at Leek, Stoke, Sale FC, Lymm and Congleton.

Lee's expertise in player development is widely respected, and his ability to nurture talent continues to benefit players throughout the senior squads. He lives in Sandbach with his wife Jenny, who serves as the club's Mini & Junior Chair, and their sons Nate and Lucca, both of whom currently represent the club in the junior section.

Laurie Essenhigh may describe himself as an adopted Sandbachian, but he has quickly become an important part of the club's identity. Living just metres from the ground with his wife Sian, Laurie brings immense energy and enthusiasm to everything he does. A PE teacher and Head of Year by profession, he is equally passionate about maintaining standards away from the pitch as he is about performing on it.

Laurie's rugby achievements include representative honours and playing in the Welsh Premiership while studying at Cardiff Metropolitan University. More recently, he made his Premiership Cup debut on loan with Caldy against Newcastle Falcons, adding yet another impressive chapter to his rugby journey. Laurie is sponsored by Sandbach Roofing.

Joining the coaching group this season is Mike Barlow, who returns to Sandbach following a lengthy and successful spell at Caldy. Mike amassed a significant number of appearances in the Championship during his playing career and now begins his coaching journey alongside continuing to pull on the boots whenever required.

Recently married to his wife Georgina, Mike and his family have also enjoyed another major milestone this year with the arrival of their baby son, Reuben. His experience and knowledge of high-performance rugby environments add further strength to an already diverse coaching team. Mike is sponsored by Mr Paul Thomas.

Last but not least, leading the rugby programme is Andrew Bird, our Director of Rugby, who enters his 11th season within the senior coaching group. A proud Sandbachian, Andrew also leads the Junior Sport programme at the prestigious Manchester Grammar School.

Andrew holds every RFU coaching qualification available to him and has worked extensively within the games pathways, alongside coaching experiences with both Harlequins and Sale Sharks. His passion for player development and community rugby continues to shape the club's direction on and off the field. Away from rugby, Andrew lives in Sandbach with his wife, Amy, and their young children, Albie and Norie and is sponsored by KAST Medical Aesthetics Ltd.

What makes this group particularly special is the blend of experiences they collectively bring. From professional rugby and elite coaching environments to education, player development and community sport, the breadth of knowledge within the team is exceptional. We firmly believe that many hands make light work, and by sharing the load effectively, a relatively modest budget can often deliver maximum impact.

Beyond the coaches, a number of key individuals ensure the programme operates smoothly throughout the season. Kevin Mowbray continues in his invaluable role as Team Manager and truly keeps everything ticking on match days. Andy Mitchell, while serving as Club Chairman, also somehow finds time to double up as club photographer and resident GMS expert, providing vital support behind the scenes.

Our medical team of Stef, Liam, Julie and Ash work tirelessly to keep players healthy, supported and available for selection across all sections of the club. Their efforts are critical throughout the season and often go unnoticed despite the huge contribution they make.

Finally, our grounds team, led by Mark Morris, deserve enormous credit. Their commitment and hard work ensure that the pitches and wider facilities remain in the best possible condition for players, members and visitors alike.

#B4L

Welcome to Bradwall Road - A MESSAGE FROM OUR DoR; AGB

On behalf of everyone at Sandbach RUFC, it gives me great pleasure to welcome supporters, players, match officials, sponsors, volunteers, members of the local community and our distinguished guests to Bradwall Road for the opening league fixtures of the new season.

Today marks the beginning of another exciting chapter for the club as competitive rugby finally returns following an extended pre-season. We are delighted to welcome our visitors, the Stags from Moss Farm, who travel with both their 1st and 2nd XVs to take on our 1st and 3rd XVs. To ensure both matches receive the attention they deserve, kick-off times have been slightly staggered, with the 3rd XV getting proceedings underway at 2:45pm before the 1st XV takes centre stage at 3:00pm.

A warm welcome also goes to our match official, Damian, and I would like to formally place on record our thanks to MAD Refs for their excellent support throughout recent weeks. Their contribution during what has been an unusually long and demanding pre-season has been invaluable and greatly appreciated by everyone involved in the rugby programme.

Like many clubs, we were affected by the RFU's decision to delay the start of the season. However, with hindsight, we believe it was the correct call and has given us additional time to prepare properly. Over the past few weeks we have worked hard to provide meaningful opportunities and appropriate game time for all our senior players. Today is the first opportunity to discover whether we have judged that balance correctly, but there is certainly a sense of excitement around the club as we finally get underway.

Preparation has been varied and enjoyable. From our early August trip to Stoke RFC, through to hosting an adapted-rules festival in mid-August, and then onto friendly fixtures at Bridgnorth before recently welcoming Leek to Bradwall Road, there has been plenty of rugby activity. While training and festival formats have been hugely beneficial, there is nothing quite like the challenge of a competitive 80-minute contest and everyone is eager to get meaningful league rugby under their belts.

I would also like to extend a huge thank you to all of our sponsors. Your continued support allows this club to thrive both on and off the field. We hope you enjoyed the media day content produced in recent weeks and saw first-hand the enthusiasm, ambition and togetherness that exists throughout the club.

As with every season, players come and go. We wish all those who have moved on the very best of luck in their new adventures. Once a Sandbachian, always a Sandbachian, and the door will always remain open. Equally, the new faces arriving across our senior squads have quickly experienced the warm welcome that makes this club such a special place.

One of the things we are most proud of is our identity as a truly amateur club built upon strong community values. Our thriving Mini & Junior section remains the lifeblood of Sandbach RUFC and it is remarkable to see that 14 of today's 18-man 1st XV squad progressed through that pathway. The story does not end there, with all three senior coaches on the touchline today having also emerged from that same conveyor belt of homegrown talent.

Meanwhile, our 2nd XV begin their Premier Division campaign away at Sedgley Park 2nd XV. After securing an impressive league and cup double last season, a new challenge awaits a young and exciting group. Once again, the strength of our development pathway is evident, with 15 of their 20-man squad being products of our own system.

Away from the rugby field, this has been one of the most productive summers in the club's recent history. Work on a new playground is well underway, our three padel courts are now fully operational, the new car park has transformed accessibility, and improvements to the clubhouse include a freshly lined marquee, new flooring and updated seating. Alongside these visible projects, significant work has been undertaken to improve the club's overall flow, appearance and visitor experience. A huge thank you goes to everyone who has contributed their time, expertise and energy to these developments.

Special recognition should also be given to our Board of Directors. Their unwavering support of the rugby programme ensures that Sandbach RUFC remains accountable, sustainable and ambitious. Few clubs in the country can boast such youthful leadership, with six official directors aged 42 or younger. Their energy and commitment continue to drive the organisation forward.

One of my greatest pleasures is attending the club on a Sunday morning and watching Bradwall Road come to life from as early as 8am. The buzz created by hundreds of young players, coaches and families is a wonderful reminder of what community rugby is all about. Thank you to our Under 7s for serving as mascots today and to our Under 12s for acting as the match ball team.

I would also like to acknowledge our grounds team. Aside from the robot mowers, every member of the team is a volunteer. It has been a challenging and stressful summer at times, but thanks to their hard work the facility is looking superb. We are incredibly grateful for everything they do.

My thanks also go to Stuart Lea for pulling together this digital programme and to every player representing Sandbach RUFC this season. In a world with increasing demands on people's time, we greatly appreciate the commitment shown by everyone who continues to place the club high on their list of priorities.

Looking ahead, the 4th XV begin their season next week, while more than 30 veterans are also eager to get underway. Thank you to Pipey for leading that programme, to Paul Stock for the tremendous work being done within the Walking Rugby community, to Dave Pipe for growing and developing Touch Rugby, and to Ros Wiggins for driving the Women's and Girls' game forward. It is fantastic to see formal cluster fixtures taking place this Sunday and further evidence of the club's continued growth.

We are a busy organisation. Of course, there are always areas where we can improve, but there are far more positives to celebrate. Let us get behind the players today. They will give everything they have on the field, and I will continue striving to ensure this rugby programme becomes the very best version of itself.

Enjoy the rugby, enjoy the atmosphere, and hopefully I'll see many of you in the clubhouse afterwards for a well-earned beer.

SANDBACH PRIMED FOR LEAGUE CAMPAIGN AFTER LEEK VICTORY

Sandbach Senior XV 57-47 Leek RFC
Saturday 19th September
Bradwall Road, Sandbach

‘Bach ready for huge league opener against Northwich

Sandbach were back at Bradwall Road on Saturday for their final outing of the pre-season campaign. They took on Leek RFC, where they won 57-47 in an impressive performance.

After last week’s encouraging friendly against Bridgnorth, Sandbach were itching to build on it. This friendly against the Regional 1 side would involve three separate sessions of 40 minutes, allowing both teams to maximise their squads and ramp up preparations.

It was a sunny but breezy afternoon as Sandbach opened the scoring with a try from centre Ed Vitta. From a Sandbach lineout in Leek’s twenty-two, the ball went in field and Vitta, who crossed six times last season, found a nice gap to score under the posts. Spot-kicker Matt Randle had a simple conversion to make it 7-0.

Sandbach started with their strongest XV and this was evident by the fast start. The home side were back in attacking territory after an excellent 50:22 kick from fly-half Henry Mitchell to gain a lineout. Sandbach were moving the ball around and an offload from Mike Butler found Randle on the wing. Sandbach had strength in numbers and the winger passed to scrum-half and 1st XV captain Laurie Essenhigh who strolled through for the second try.

Sandbach were then required to do some defending and Callum Oakden, amongst others, put in some big tackles. Sandbach used the wind once more for a 50:22 kick and Mike Barlow threatened as he took the ball into contact, but nothing came of it.

Leek were finally rewarded for their attacking efforts with a try under the posts after successive phase play and there were only six minutes left with one score in it.

In the final play of the first session, Leek were in Sandbach’s twenty-two and passed the ball out wide, but it was stolen by Morris who had read the move. The winger stormed up field and despite one lone chasing defender, he placed the ball down for the final try of the first session.

Sandbach switched their team for the second session and there was plenty of energy from both sides. Leek got the first try after Sandbach picked up a yellow card. The Bach were lacking composure as Leek dominated and quickly scored a second try.

The response from Sandbach was noticeable when scrum-half and 2nd XV co-captain Jake Jackson went blindside from a penalty scrum to take the visitors by surprise. Jackson found a lone winger in support, who ran from halfway to score a superb try in the corner.

Leek responded with another try and they scored again soon after. A kick through from a Leek penalty led to a big foot chase, which Sandbach edged, however Leek got the ball back and a gap in the chasing defence led to another try.

Soon after, Leek scored the final try to win the second session comfortably. After the conversion, Leek took a 26-40 overall lead.

For the final session, Sandbach fielded a mixed team making the most of their extensive squad. They were keen to get back into the game and it was looking promising after an early lineout from 10m out. The maul formed quickly and thundered over the line for the try.

Sandbach scored again from a lineout when Tom Holmes carefully took possession before quickly offloading to George Perkins, who dotted down in the corner. Leek had other ideas about a Sandbach comeback and with a steal on halfway, they ran the rest of the pitch to score.

Sandbach moved up field after several quick tap penalties, with Essenhigh sensing an opportunity. They built up momentum after working through the phases and Harry Leese got close to the line again. Leek picked up a yellow card and Essenhigh this time went solo from the penalty to cross for the try.

With 20 minutes left, Sandbach made several changes as they still chased down the win. Jackson was linking well with Mitchell as Sandbach moved forwards from several penalties and lineouts. From 5m out Bowbeer finally ran through for the try and to take the overall lead again.

In the final play of the game, Sandbach’s Dave Doneo took a long pass and, after some juggling in the air, he dived over the line for the final try of the game. Sandbach won 57-47.

This was an encouraging performance from Sandbach and the signs are promising as they head into the huge league opener against Northwich. Saturday’s fixture is not just about bragging rights, it’s about getting the season off to the strongest possible start.

It’s been a long wait, but Sandbach are more than ready to go. The time for tinkering and talking is over. Now it’s time to make it count where it matters.

NEXT MATCH

Sandbach 1st XV vs Northwich 1st XV
Saturday 26th September – Kick-off 3.00pm
Bradwall Road, Sandbach

Photos courtesy of Andy Mitchell

The Regional 2 North West season has officially commenced, albeit with a rather staggered start. While Sandbach were left waiting in the wings last weekend, the opening salvos were fired across the Irish Sea. Wilmslow made the daunting trip to the Isle of Man and returned with a maximum five-point haul, edging out Douglas 32-29 in a thriller. It is an impressive early marker from the Cheshire side, leaving them sitting pretty at the summit of the league table, while Douglas will take some comfort from securing two bonus points in defeat.

But the real business begins this Saturday at Bradwall Road, as Sandbach launch their campaign with a mouth-watering Cheshire derby against familiar foes Northwich. Matches against their nearest neighbours always bring an extra edge, and Sandbach will have long memories of the early-season trip to Moss Farm last September, where the boys were narrowly pipped 21-18. Although Sandbach exacted revenge with a thrilling 32-27 home victory in the reverse fixture right before Christmas, establishing dominance on home soil early on will be absolutely crucial this time around. Northwich finished down in tenth place last term, and Sandbach will be eager to assert their authority straight out of the gate.

Having finished a highly commendable third last season with 79 points, only behind Vale of Lune and champions North Ribblesdale, the Sandbach squad knows that a strong start is essential to dictating the pace in the promotion race. The rest of the division springs into action this weekend alongside Sandbach, with Winnington Park hosting Burnage and Widnes welcoming Kirkby Lonsdale in other notable clashes. Elsewhere, Wilmslow will look to build on their Isle of Man triumph as they host Firwood Waterloo, while Douglas travel to Birkenhead Park.

For Sandbach, the focus remains firmly on executing their own game plan. With another local fixture looming next weekend at home to Winnington Park before a tricky trip to Manchester, the opening fortnight offers a golden opportunity to put serious points on the board. A convincing victory over Northwich this Saturday would not just set the tone for the autumn, but send a quiet, confident warning to the rest of Regional 2 North West that Sandbach mean business once again.

At last, at last, we have some competitive rugby to enjoy. The hot Summer and the ravaging that pitches suffered has led to the longest pre-season in living memory. An extra month of burpees. Deep joy.

Pre-season games are OK but there’s nothing like real blood and thunder competitive rugby. Finally we are back to Saturdays where there is real jeopardy in defeat followed by anxious scrutiny of other league results. Who are looking good? Who will be the whipping boys?

Many clubs have been shopping in the close season and we wait to see the impact of their recruitment efforts. This always seems a bit barmy at level 6 but I guess that’s the way the rugby world is going.

No easy intro for Sandbach. Northwich are old rivals and the games between these two are always fierce and competitive. What will be interesting are the new teams coming into the league, this year – Manchester, Wilmslow, Kirby Lonsdale and Warrington. Dangerous to predict how they will do. Let’s give it a month and let things settle down. Just good to have Saturday afternoons back and enjoy a few scoops arguing back and to about the game.

Pollocks

Stop Press. Eddie Hearn, Henry Pollock’s agent has managed to secure his man a two year contract extension at his club worth 3 times his previous salary. Eddie will obviously pick up his slice and the lad has clearly justified his move to Hearn’s stable in one go. I wish him luck (Henry I mean, Eddie doesn’t need my support). So where does this lead us in rugby circles? Has Pollock set a precedent and in one fell swoop inflated the salary expectations of the Premiership pro’s? 

The truth is that I suspect Pollock is a one off, purely because the other clubs just can’t afford this level of remuneration. Yet and yet, when you see the likes of Red Bull at Newcastle, Black Knight at Exeter and with Dyson at Bath all buying into the game, all of a sudden the picture starts to change somewhat. These are serious players financially and the money involved in rugby union is loose change to them. 

Hearn is used to operating and negotiating with big players in the Boxing world. He won’t be intimidated by them but for other ‘big’ rugby clubs the potential salary inflation drive could be fatal. These new players won’t stand for RFU ‘’salary caps’ either. They’ll run rings around Bill Sweeney (or just run over him.)

If Pollock’s career continues on its current trajectory, then he will do very well but he is going to be used commercially across all sorts of media and for a professional sportsman that can be draining. Plus, like all professional sportsmen, you are only one injury away from your career’s end. I wish the lad well and he is a big personality which the game is short of. Interesting times.