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Sat 17 Sep 2011 · North One West
Sandbach
1st XV
42
3
Penalties: C HarveyYellow Carded: R Pearl, S Edgar
Wirral Undone by Sandbach's Fast & Open Play
Andrew Broadbent18 Sep 2011 - 11:56
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Although injuries and debatable decisions by the referee didn't help, Wirral were beaten by a better side and a lack of discipline.
For the game against unbeaten Sandbach, TIM HODSON was not available as he was celebrating becoming a father once again, so COLIN DYER took over in the second row with CHRIS TYSON coming onto the substitute’s bench. The rest of the team was the same as last week. Conditions were slippery underfoot following a series of heavy showers.
The match was late in starting due to the late arrival of the exchange referee from Warwickshire and Wirral played up the slope in the first half.
The first 29 minutes of the game were even with both sides exchanging penalties during the first 13 minutes after Will Cargill, the Sandbach stand off, missed with his first and James Annetts had a drop goal kick attempt go wide. On 16 mins Sandbach took the lead through Cargill and then Wirral were hit by a number of unexplainable penalties by the young referee, which resulted in a yellow card against ROB PEARL for holding on in a tackle, I feel this was due to the number of penalties having been given away.
The first try came 4 mins into the sin bin, when the opposition were held up over the line, from the resultant play, David Campbell the Sandbach second row scored with the try being converted by Cargill. 13-3. Wirral looked to take a quick throw in which resulted in Jimmy Annetts being tackled heavily, eventually Wirral kicked to clear but hit a player and went straight to the full back who made progress before being stopped but managed to get his pass away to Cargill following up who scored close to the posts and converted his own try. 20-3
No sooner had ROB PEARL returned when another decision by the referee saw SAM EDGAR yellow carded, with a back row player short, Sandbach made use of the extra man to allow their prop Matthew Beesley to score in the corner with the try not being converted. The half time score was 25-3.
Due to injuries sustained in the first half, STEVE PENDERGAST came on for MATT BROWN and OLLIE ATKINSON coming onto the wing with SAM BROADBENT going to fly half as JIMMY ANNETTS came off with what he fears to be a return of his ACL injury- let’s hope this is not the case.
Whilst Wirral were playing down the slope in the second half they were looking to play more of the game in Sandbach’s half but within minutes of the second half starting a Sandbach backs move saw Richard Murray run in from 30m to score under the posts, the try was converted 32-3. Seventeen minutes later, Cargill added a further penalty.
Sandbach attacked again and a good tackle by PHIL DONALDSON stopped the attack but the players immediately raised concern as Phil was knocked out, with both physio’s speeding to his assistance it was confirmed that Phil had been knocked out. The ambulance arrived quickly and he was accompanied to Leighton Hospital by coach, Andy McKinney. By the time the ambulance arrived he had regained consciousness and I am pleased to report that Phil returned home later in the evening and this morning has a “sore“ head.
Play resumed some 15/20 mins later after the referee had consulted the assessor as to whether the match should finish and the score stand. The game continued only for Wirral to hold out except for one incident, when a Sandbach player ran through without the ball obstructing Wirral from tackling the player who scored after he had knocked on. A comedy of errors, all of which was oblivious to the official. The try was converted by Cargill, leaving the final score 42-3.
Sandbach are competent side and will do well in the league this year if they continue to play such attacking rugby. As for Wirral they did not play to their potential but matters were not helped by the numerous penalties they conceded and the various injuries incurred by a number of players.
Richard McNeil
The match was late in starting due to the late arrival of the exchange referee from Warwickshire and Wirral played up the slope in the first half.
The first 29 minutes of the game were even with both sides exchanging penalties during the first 13 minutes after Will Cargill, the Sandbach stand off, missed with his first and James Annetts had a drop goal kick attempt go wide. On 16 mins Sandbach took the lead through Cargill and then Wirral were hit by a number of unexplainable penalties by the young referee, which resulted in a yellow card against ROB PEARL for holding on in a tackle, I feel this was due to the number of penalties having been given away.
The first try came 4 mins into the sin bin, when the opposition were held up over the line, from the resultant play, David Campbell the Sandbach second row scored with the try being converted by Cargill. 13-3. Wirral looked to take a quick throw in which resulted in Jimmy Annetts being tackled heavily, eventually Wirral kicked to clear but hit a player and went straight to the full back who made progress before being stopped but managed to get his pass away to Cargill following up who scored close to the posts and converted his own try. 20-3
No sooner had ROB PEARL returned when another decision by the referee saw SAM EDGAR yellow carded, with a back row player short, Sandbach made use of the extra man to allow their prop Matthew Beesley to score in the corner with the try not being converted. The half time score was 25-3.
Due to injuries sustained in the first half, STEVE PENDERGAST came on for MATT BROWN and OLLIE ATKINSON coming onto the wing with SAM BROADBENT going to fly half as JIMMY ANNETTS came off with what he fears to be a return of his ACL injury- let’s hope this is not the case.
Whilst Wirral were playing down the slope in the second half they were looking to play more of the game in Sandbach’s half but within minutes of the second half starting a Sandbach backs move saw Richard Murray run in from 30m to score under the posts, the try was converted 32-3. Seventeen minutes later, Cargill added a further penalty.
Sandbach attacked again and a good tackle by PHIL DONALDSON stopped the attack but the players immediately raised concern as Phil was knocked out, with both physio’s speeding to his assistance it was confirmed that Phil had been knocked out. The ambulance arrived quickly and he was accompanied to Leighton Hospital by coach, Andy McKinney. By the time the ambulance arrived he had regained consciousness and I am pleased to report that Phil returned home later in the evening and this morning has a “sore“ head.
Play resumed some 15/20 mins later after the referee had consulted the assessor as to whether the match should finish and the score stand. The game continued only for Wirral to hold out except for one incident, when a Sandbach player ran through without the ball obstructing Wirral from tackling the player who scored after he had knocked on. A comedy of errors, all of which was oblivious to the official. The try was converted by Cargill, leaving the final score 42-3.
Sandbach are competent side and will do well in the league this year if they continue to play such attacking rugby. As for Wirral they did not play to their potential but matters were not helped by the numerous penalties they conceded and the various injuries incurred by a number of players.
Richard McNeil
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