Numbers Up

Two late converted tries snatched the win from a committed Sandbach/Manchester side.

The player availability for this important Merit League fixture was a big disappointment. The commitment of the nine representing Sandbach/Manchester/Northwich players (including Tracy Fisher playing her first game) was very impressive though, and almost gained the result that the clubs needed.

The limited numbers resulted in a number of players playing out of their normal position. Glossop declined to loan players to even the sides up and Sandbach proposed a 3 forwards + 6 backs match. Unfortunately it was decided that 5 forwards + 4 backs should be played... Despite the low numbers, a full pitch was set up and Glossop advised that they would be using rolling subs from their matchday squad of fourteen players.

Even in their unfamiliar positions, the girls showed a good awareness of the game with Katie Morten in particular slotting into the key Fly Half position as if she had always played there.

The first 20 minutes saw Sandbach come closer to scoring, notably when Nieve Jones was able to intercept a pass to almost break through, and several times when Hannah Johnson used her speed to all but loop around the Glossop defence.

As the first third neared its end, it looked as if Harriet Parsons was going to open the scoring but the ball was spilled agonisingly short of the try line so that the first period ended scoreless.

Unfortunately it was Glossop who then opened the scoring soon after the restart, sprinting through for a try subsequently converted to 7-0.

At the halfway point of the game, the hard ground and the heavy tackling was taking its toll with Jordan Morris down several times and then Hannah Johnson being advised to take a break by the Glossop physio. Sandbach asked Glossop to consider dropping to eight players in Hannah’s absence but they decided to loan a player until Hannah was fit to rejoin after several minutes.

Throughout the match Jess Gurney was superb in both defence and attack, so much so that it was often unclear whether she was playing forward or back as she seemed to be covering every position!

Hannah made her presence felt on her return with a superb looping run which totally outpaced the Glossop team bringing the score back to 7-5.

Sandbach’s forwards were coping well with the Glossop pack and it was Mollie Latham and Amber Smith who linked well, driving a maul upfield to get the team in a strong attacking position. As the ball was moved out of the breakdown, Hannah created an opening and was pleased to see Katie outside her to take a well timed pass and touch down in the corner to give Sandbach the lead at 10-7. An impressive second period by both teams closed with Sandbach justifiably edging it by two tries to one.

The final 20 minutes became a tense battle with Glossop knowing that they had a tremendous advantage with the fresh legs that they were able to bring on, and Sandbach desperate to hold out. It has to be said that the Glossop coaches were very aware of the situation with some very well timed rolling substitutions as their girls tired.

In fact, when Glossop got their noses in front at 14-10 with their second converted try, it would have been no surprise if Sandbach had folded. The character of the nine players still defending against the fourteen was clear when Mollie made a huge amount of ground through her strength and sheer determination which Katie was able to capitalise on for her second and Sandbach’s third try to give a 15-14 lead with just five minutes remaining.

Sadly the killer blow was landed straight from the restart however when a long kick was not fielded cleanly and was touched down behind the line. It was too much to ask for the team to defend from a 5 metre scrum and yet they did just that, only to concede a second scrum still at close quarters. This time Glossop were able to force the ball over and converted the lead to 21-15.

Sandbach were still not beaten even so close to full time and pushed back into Glossop’s half. Perhaps it was inevitable that the game effectively finished when the attacking Sandbach players were caught out by a breakaway try from some loose play. Defending an oncoming player was difficult enough by this time, but to chase after a player with several metres start was simply impossible. The fresher Glossop players scored the final try and a very disappointing 28-15 defeat was suffered.

Every player that took part deserves a special mention on a bitterly disappointing day when the Merit League probably slipped from being in Sandbach’s grasp:

Katie – stepped up to being the link player at No.10 and showed great tactical awareness
Jess – seemed to be everywhere! Attack, defence; forward, back...a great performance
Nieve – not many players can switch from fly half to second row but Nieve's presence ensured a very attack-minded pack
Mollie – as always led by example, a superb captain to keep her team going; dominated the battles up front
Tracy – a great debut on a difficult day; tackled well and showed some excellent handling; will be a great asset to the team
Jordan – played on bravely despite a few knocks and as ever made a nuisance of herself (to Glossop!) all afternoon
Hannah – the fastest player on the pitch, constantly troubling the defence
Amber – popped up in attack and defence, making the right decisions when to support the forwards or join the backs
Harriet – best game so far, showed great handling skills; really deserved a try yet again!

The disappointment was certainly not in the performance but simply the number of players available - there is an early opportunity to correct this at Manchester next week when we host the return fixture.