This was the first visit by Kirkby Lonsdale RUFC down the motorway to Sandbach RUFC for many years.

A Club that moved from the Midlands leagues to Northern this season and are lying fourth in the league.

The home side started this encounter on a cold but bright afternoon, against an injury hit Kirkby for the second week in a row.

Kirkby gathered and cleared up field where the Sandbach three quarter- line moved the ball on the attack. The visitors defence held and managed to steal the ball and move forward. Some give and take followed whilst the sides weighed each other up.

The breakthrough came when the Sandbach backs broke through to put the first points on the board after 10 minutes of play, 7-0.

As has happened in previous games Kirkby allowed the home backs to break their line with the second try 3 minutes later to double their score. The visitors were in disarray as the third try was scored by the home side taking the score to 19-0.

A Sandbach knock on fell at Briggs's feet and he kicked through with the forwards following and retrieved the ball before a pass out to Ree saw him go over for a try which he converted to put Kirkby on the board. 19-7.

The Sandbach bonus try came from their swift number 14 after their forwards drove the Kirkby pack from a scrum due to a knock on. 26-7. Good moves by Kirkby Captain Briggs and Nicholson saw the attack come within 10 yards of a second try but the home side won the ruck and cleared.

A period of play in the middle of the field saw a penalty to Sandbach and from the line out on the 22 the home forwards rumbled over to take the score to 33-7. From restart, the home side saw a training ground try as their forwards caught the ball and attacked before releasing the ball to their back line who moved it along to the wing and scored as the board moved to 40 points to 7.

Kirkby replacements on for Moss and Robinson as the game moved towards half time but mistakes by both sides saw attacks falter but Kirkby spirit still shone through. In the final minute before the break Sandbach backs were in again to show the score 45-7 as the whistle blew.

The home side showed why they are in 4th position with good combinations between pack and backs and their off loads from tackles.
Kirkby started the second half with good attacking play but again handling let them down with a knock on to give the home side a scrum.

A kick gave their winger the chance to stretch his legs as he beat Akrigg to the ball and scored to bring the half century up at 52-7.

Nicholson came off with an injury and Oats moved to scrum half with Sam Peek replacing on the wing. Kirkby gave a penalty for off side and from the line out the home side pack wing over from 10 yards but the conversion missed although the referee over-ruled to give 7 points and a score of 59-7.

Two further tries by the Sandbach backs moved the score to 73-7. Kirkby kept pressing but faltered with handling errors until Ree intercepted a Sandbach pass to run in a try from 30 yards out.

Converted to give the visitors a deserved 14 points. Following the restart Sandbach attacked and from a scrum the referee blew but then allowed the scrum half to continue play as he went over for a try. Kirkby players looked bewildered as the try was given and the score read 80-14.

The home side were on the rampage as further tries took their score to 92-14 but Kirkby kept fighting as Oats intercepted a pass but was tackled short of the line.

Ree came off with a leg injury and 10 minutes from time as the home side finished in style to give two further tries and the score topped the century at full time. 106-14.

Another spirited show by Kirkby who were applauded by the Sandbach supporters as they left the clubhouse for their journey back up the motorway.
Playing strong opposition teams is taking its toll on injuries to the Kirkby team as Stockport visit Underley Park next week.