SANDBACH v NORTHWICH

Saturday 20th December 2025

Welcome to Bradwall Road, the proud home of Sandbach RUFC. Today we extend a warm festive welcome to our visitors from Moss Farm, Northwich RUFC. It is always a special occasion the week before Christmas and today should be no different. We hope that you enjoy your time with us, regardless of result, and that the games' core values are evident from the moment you arrive.

Northwich arrive under the guidance of Sam Naylor after securing a home victory against us, one of their five wins to date. That result will no doubt give them confidence as they look to build momentum. For Sandbach, however, that defeat remains fresh in the memory, and today offers the perfect opportunity to set the record straight.

For Sandbach RUFC, the stakes could not be higher. With promotion aspirations alive and well, the target is to reach double-figure wins and maintain pressure on those around us. The recent trip to the Isle of Man was eventful in more ways than one, but it demonstrated the grit and determination of this squad. From last-minute winners to delayed travel, the journey was far from straightforward, yet the unity shown by players, supporters, and staff alike was inspiring. That spirit must now be channeled into today’s performance. The coaching group has emphasised a “cup final mentality” this week. Why? Because backing up last week’s effort is essential. We owe it to those who worked tirelessly behind the scenes on Sunday night and Monday to keep the club moving forward. We also owe it to ourselves to correct the poor performance against Northwich earlier in the season. On that wet day, chances came but were not taken. Today, there can be no such wastefulness.

Sandbach RUFC is more than just its 1st XV. Across the club, teams are competing, celebrating, and representing the badge with pride.

2nd XV: Scheduled to travel to Eagle for the return fixture. At the time of print, this match remains in doubt due to genuine concerns over player welfare. Those who witnessed the home fixture will understand why. With a youthful squad and the likelihood that Eagle may withdraw from the league in future months after conceding several games already due to lengthy bans, the situation is precarious. Player safety must always come first. I suppose this is why we have a DOR! coaching/leadership roles and sometimes difficult decisions have to be made.

3rd XV: Under the captaincy of Radcliffe and Donald, the 3rd XV head to Burnage 2s for what promises to be an enjoyable outing on the artificial grass pitch. 4th XV: Closer to home, our 4th XV are celebrating the festive season with tables in the marquee.

Last night, our U14s hosted Mold in a Friday Night Lights fixture. It was entertaining from start to finish, showcasing the talent and enthusiasm of our younger players. The current U13, U14, and U15 cohorts are particularly exciting. Watch this space – the future of Sandbach RUFC looks bright.

Last weekend’s trip to the Isle of Man will live long in the memory. Not because of the last-minute winner or the delayed travel, but because of the way everyone rallied together. The travelling support was immense, the social media team kept spirits high, and the contingency planners and emergency flight booking crew back at Bach HQ worked tirelessly. This is what sets Sandbach apart: local lads playing local rugby, supported by local people who care deeply about their club, community, and pride in the collective effort both on and off the pitch.

It is wonderful to see so many supporters here today, bringing festive cheer to Bradwall Road. Rumour has it that a sing-song may break out later and, if the Isle of Man trip is anything to go by, you are in for a treat. Rugby is about more than the game itself; it is about the memories, the friendships, and the celebrations that surround it. Today is a chance to enjoy all of that.

Do not forget that today also features the live draw for the 500 Club. This initiative is a fantastic way to raise funds and make our club even better. If you are not yet part of it, get involved. Every contribution helps strengthen what we offer ensuring that we can continue to grow, compete, and thrive both on and off the pitch.

Enjoy the game, enjoy the atmosphere, and enjoy being part of something special, B4L

See you for a beer in the bar

Andy Bird Director of Rugby, Sandbach RUFC

A warm welcome to Bradwall Road to Northwich and their supporters as we get into the second half of our seasons league fixtures at home. We hope that they enjoy a good game and our hospitality today.

Our 1st team picked up a narrow victory last weekend away at Douglas (IoM) in another tough battle. As it's the time of year when the heavier pitches and variable weather don’t favour our natural style, it was good to see that last weekend we found some extra grit to get the job done.

Today's opponents, Northwich, beat us at Moss Farm earlier in the season under very wet conditions which they handled better than we did. Unusually for us, they scored three converted tries while we had 18 points all from the boot. Since then, they have had a mixed season with some good wins and perhaps a few surprising losses. Currently sitting eighth in the table, a win today would jump-start the second half of their season.

Please be vocal in support of the teams but ensure that you respect our referee, Andrew Groves, as well as respecting the supporting officials from both clubs.

Today's match sponsor is TAFCO, a much appreciated long-term club partner. Our premium sponsor is Hyper Wake. We also thank serial match-ball sponsor, Matt Alton. We hope that you all enjoy your day out, a good Christmas lunch, and some good rugby.

Paul Jackson, Chairman, Sandbach RUFC

LAST WEEK'S GAMES & THIS WEEK'S FIXTURES

We are now into the second half of the season and North Ribblesdale are currently top, two points clear of Sandbach with both on exactly the same points difference. North kept their good season going last week with a comfortable 14-38 win at Northwich. Vale of Lune's challenge took a knock with a 22-25 home defeat to Widnes.

At the other end of the table, Firwood Waterloo battled hard but found Winnington Park just too good, going down 33-36 in a tight encounter. Burnage heaped more misery on Altrincham Kersal winning at home 28-21.

AK are a battling side but keep getting on the wrong side of close results. Birkenhead Park earned a vital win against fellow strugglers West Park St Helens 44-17, keeping them just out of the relegation zone and taking valuable points from West.

Result of the week must be the 19-21 win by Sandbach over in the Isle of Man. Douglas were unbeaten at home this season with North Ribblesdale being one of their prized scalps. But a battling performance in horrible conditions saw the 'Bach home with a late try giving them the double this season over the Manxmen.

So, in Christmas week, there are a number of interesting fixtures. Douglas will be looking to bounce back as they travel to bottom placed Altrincham Kersal, though the expected poor weather will even things out on the heavy AK pitch. Leaders North Ribblesdale are unlikely to slip up at home against Birkenhead Park and Widnes will be quietly confident of taking the points at home against Firwood Waterloo. Vale of Lune travel down the M6 to St. Helens, looking to keep their challenge alive against West Park.

The final two games promise to be highly competitive affairs. Winnington Park entertain Burnage and there is a Christmas cracker here at Bradwall Road where Northwich are the welcome visitors. Regardless of league positions there is always a fierce rivalry between these two sides going back decades. With Northwich winning the first game in a tight mucky affair, the 'Bach will be looking to gain revenge and keep their title challenge alive. Mouthwatering!

Sandbach 19 v 8 Altrincham Kersal

Sandbach returned to winning ways on Saturday and remain second in the table after a hard-fought muddy battle against Altrincham Kersal.

The first points of the day came from a Sandbach attacking lineout in Altrincham's twenty-two. The maul formed and then split before the ball was sent out wide. Sandbach patiently worked through the phases and the ball went to outside centre George Cole who strode through a gap for the try. After 13 minutes, Sandbach were leading 5-0.

From a loose ball in Sandbach’s half, Boyce instinctively kicked it up field, only to be taken out in the process, putting an end to his debut. Play went on and Jack Seddon, Sandbach’s No. 8, gave chase and applied pressure on Altrincham as they gathered and kicked the ball out. Sandbach picked up a penalty moments later and the rolling maul from the lineout edged them close to the line. It collapsed and Sandbach went again but were eventually held up on the try line.

Five minutes before the end of the first half, Altrincham took three points from a penalty. Another strong defensive effort was required for Sandbach as Altrincham attacked and kept the ball alive. Eventually Sandbach won the ball back and the half ended 5-3.

As the second half commenced, Altrincham continued to attack and there were some big defensive shots from Sandbach’s Oakden, winger Rhys John and hooker Matt Davies.

Sandbach had an opportunity with a lineout from 5m out, however the ball was overthrown enabling Altrincham to gather and clear their lines. Moments later and the ball was up the other end of the field as the visitors intercepted and kicked it through. As the ball went over the line, Altrincham claimed the try.

With Sandbach now trailing, this was the wakeup call that they needed and there was an immediate response. From a Sandbach lineout in Altrincham's half, the maul formed and the ball was quickly released. The ball moved to inside centre Harry Leese who made a direct run towards the line and dived over for the try. Matt Randle kicked the extras and Sandbach regained the lead.

It wasn't long before Sandbach scored again. Scrum-half Laurie Essenhigh was taken out as he chased his own kick and earned a penalty. Mitchell kicked to touch and the unstoppable maul drove towards the line from the lineout. Davies had hold of the ball and he powered over for the try, his fourth of the season, and Randle converted once more.

The game was in the final ten minutes and Sandbach's robust defence was required once again. Altrincham applied the pressure as they attacked but nothing came of it as they were held back and Sandbach claimed a 19-8 win.

Sandbach’s defending had been outstanding all afternoon and the effective rolling maul, steered by Holmes and Seddon was the difference. Player of the match went to Callum Oakden.

Douglas (l.o.M) 19 v 21 Sandbach

Sandbach seized a late victory from the hands of Douglas on Saturday in a pulsating match against the islanders. Sandbach flew to the Isle of Man early on Saturday morning to take on the Manxmen. With two points separating the top four teams, a win was vital to maintain the pressure at the top of the table.

Sandbach made two changes from last week's win against Altrincham Kersal, with George Perkins taking the number 8 spot and Ben Verbickas starting on the wing. Aaron Briscall made his seventh start of the season, continuing at blindside flanker, while Ollie Jones kept his starting spot on the opposite side.

Douglas opened the scoring after twenty-two minutes with a converted try, after the visitors missed a tackle. Sandbach responded by taking three points from a penalty kick by Matt Randle. Minutes earlier, the spot kicker's long-range effort rattled the crossbar, but this attempt was successful. The home side scored again before the break to take the scores to 12-3, but Sandbach were still in the game. The wind dominated the first half and it would be against Sandbach in the second half, making the task even harder.

Sandbach reduced the deficit early in the second half when hooker Matt Davies touched down from a catch and drive for his fifth try of the season. Douglas, however, hit back and scored a try after a series of scrums and short-range pickups.

Randle drilled over another penalty after fifty-five minutes to move the scores to 19-11. In the final quarter, a quick tap penalty from skipper and scrum-half Laurie Essenhigh caught Douglas napping and earned him his seventh try of the season. This put Sandbach within touching distance at three points behind.

In a dramatic finale, having been behind for most of the game, Sandbach finally took the lead. With five minutes remaining, winger Verbickas got hold of the ball and sped away to secure the final score of the afternoon. Sandbach managed to keep the ball in the last few minutes to see out the game and clinch the victory.

The final score was 19-21 and player of the match went to inside centre Harry Leese for his fine display in midfield.

Cheshire Honours

Earlier this month, three of Sandbach's Senior Colts, Ollie Mitchell, Zach Boschi and Dylan Husbands, played for Cheshire Under 18s as they beat Yorkshire 15-24 at Keighley RUFC.

Dylan, who has put in some impressive performances for the 2nd XV this season, picked up the player of the match award. It hopefully won't be long before Ollie and Zach join Dylan in the senior squad, as these three promising youngsters aim for further achievements.

​There comes a time when you suddenly start to realise your own mortality. A sure sign is the number of funerals you go to. We’ve had quite a few at Sandbach over the past couple of years. Now, a good many of these have been guys older than me. Guys in their 80s and 90s. But in recent weeks there has been news that has caused a degree of reflection.

​I was lucky in my younger days to be selected for the England U23 Tour to Canada in 1977. Three weeks, six games, including two tests against the full Canada team. We were unbeaten. Many of the lads on that tour went to become full internationals and a few, British Lions.

​What brought me up short was the fact that in the space of one week, two of my touring teammates passed away.

​First it was Tony Bond. That tour was when I first came across Bondy. He was a tough, hard-running centre but also a real larger than life character off the pitch. Always at the centre of the social action and never far from the high jinks. When I moved back to Cheshire from Nottingham I joined Sale and there was Anthony Bond, he hadn’t changed. For the next few years we played together and I also played against him when Cheshire played Lancashire.

​It wasn’t long before he was selected for England. Sadly his international career was cut short by a tragic broken leg suffered against Ireland and, although he recovered, he was never the same player. He would certainly have got more than his six England caps. Probably his most memorable performance came in 1979 when he was part of the North team that beat the All Blacks at Otley. Bondy scored two tries.

​The same week that we lost Bondy, another of my Canada teammates also died. John Doubleday was a tough as teak prop who played for Bristol. John played 314 games for Bristol and was a part of the team that won the John Player Cup in 1983. He benched for England and played in three non-cap games against Japan, Fiji, and Tonga. These days he would have had thirty or forty caps. Throughout the early 80s he was acknowledged as one of the best around.

​If this wasn't enough, a week or so later we heard of the death of referee Fred Howard. Fred refereed me on many occasions and I always enjoyed a good relationship with him. He was a consummate ‘professional’ in the days when referees weren’t professional. His player management was excellent, he would always have a good rapport with players without ever compromising his authority.

​I remember in my Sandbach days, he turned up to referee us at New Brighton the week after he had sent-off Wales’ Kevin Moseley in a Five Nations game at Cardiff. My team talk was very simple to the lads, ‘If he’ll send off a Wales second row in front of 60,000 screaming Welshmen, he won’t think twice about sending any of you lot off on a wet grey day at New Brighton. Best behaviour lads’.

​Inevitably there was a sending-off. Thankfully, a New Brighton player. I last saw Fred a couple of years ago when he turned up at Sandbach to assess a young referee. Few in the bar recognised him, but I did. I invited him to come over and have a chat. He was still the same, happy to chew the fat and talk rugby. Lovely fella.

​So, in the space of a couple of weeks three of my rugby contemporaries have gone and it is sobering.

​So if there is a lesson to be learned – it’s enjoy life while you can. You never know when the bloke with the scythe may come calling.