SANDBACH 14 - 81 BOWDON

After their previous win over Lymm, over-confidence could have been predicted, and so it proved in a see-saw first quarter. With the visitors seemingly unable to recreate previous levels of intensity at ruck and in the tackle, the hosts were able to gain a foothold in the game and duly applied early pressure. A breakaway try gave Bowdon a points advantage, but Sandbach responded with two tries of their own to take the lead.

This seemed to be the wake-up call Bowdon needed, responding with two further tries of their own to take the first quarter, and from then on they never looked back. That is not to say they had matters their own way - far from it, with Sandbach coming in with some big tackles - but firm defence kept the 'points conceded' to fourteen for the rest of the match.

In attack, the visitors showed their full array of options, tries being shared around (Collins, Briscoe, Nicholson, Martin, Powell and Meredith). Special mention to Ethan Powell for finishing off his try with aplomb, and for Josh Bailey whose scorching run nearly saw his first try of the season but for the intervention of the touchline.

Well done to Tom Peel, for his numerous conversions, but mostly well done to the entire squad, all of who got good game time and made positive contributions to the win.