Sandbach follow orders (From Crewe Guardian)

Sandbach follow orders

1:47pm Friday 5th October 2012 in Sport

Sandbach 46 Scunthorpe 19

CONCENTRATION, discipline and precision were the keywords used by coach Simon Verbickas in the pre-match players briefing before this game.

Sandbach started the game with their usual high tempo forwards assault and, as is now becoming the norm, were awarded an early penalty within range, which was converted by replacement kicker Gaz Caen.

Sandbach forwards pressurised the scrum and Simon Verbickas popped the ball inside for Jack Leech who coming in from his wing at speed ran through and scored under the posts.

Caen slotted the conversion to give the home team a 10-point lead inside eight minutes.

Scunthorpe were slightly fortunate as a chip kick was deflected off a Sandbach defender straight into the arms of their centre who scored.

That mistake stung Sandbach and on the next attack, Matt Pollen broke through a tackle and then used the 2-1 advantage to pass to Richard Murray who ran through and scored under the posts.

Caen took the extra two points.

In the final minutes of the first half, Murray got just rewards for an excellent individual performance as he managed to avoid three defenders and work his way along the touch line to score his second try in the corner.

Sandbach recycled the ball five times before it was spun wide to Matt Beesley, whose subtle pass to Verbickas allowed the club coach to demonstrate both his conventional and Maori sidesteps before scoring a great try.

Dan Massey managed to squeeze down the side-line, avoiding five defenders before scoring in the corner.

With their tails up, Sandbach turned on the heat and narrowly missed another score as eventual RK Henshall: man of the match Tom Herd was ‘held up’ over the line.

The pressure continued and with 15 minutes remaining Bird took a quick penalty and as if standing on hot coals hopped and skipped through a melee of forwards, only to be brought down a metre from the line.

Bird managed to flip-up the ball as he went down and first team debutant Tom Austin, announced his arrival in the team by crashing over to score the try.

Caen picked up another two points.

The Sandbach final try came as a result of some incredible inter-passing between wingers Massey and Murray leading to another slick pass for Matt Pollen to score out wide.

Sandbach are at home to South Leicester on Saturday, kick off 3pm at Bradwall Road.