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Sandbach 27-34 Rochdale

30/ 9/2008

FIVE minutes into the second half Rochdale were staring defeat in the face as they trailed 27-5 and looked likely to leak more points.

But somehow they played a get out of jail card and turned the game around by scoring four tries, three conversions and a penalty to run out winners.

The visitors started well with a try after two minutes. The backs moved the ball out wide and Callum Mulkeen put winger Phil Cowburn away for an unconverted score.

The smiles, though, were soon knocked of the visitors’ faces when Sandbach hit back with a penalty goal and a super try from deep in their own half. They too moved the ball out wide, and the centre straightened up to put his winger in the clear with a good inside pass.

Rochdale were at sixes and sevens, handling was poor and back-chatting the official did them no favours. They were punished with a penalty.

Lee Riddle was sent to the sin bin and Sandbach pressed home their advantage. Sloppy defensive play in the backs saw the Sandbach centre cross unopposed for another converted try.

Rochdale went into the break trailing 20-5 and it was clear that if they were going to get back into the game they needed to use the slight slope advantage and score early on.

This didn’t happen, and Sandbach scored another long distance try, the centres again doing the damage by brushing of tackles and putting winger Dan Massey in the clear for a seven-pointer.

Sandbach then lost their playmaker Will Cargill and had a forward sin binned, while Rochdale sent on Gareth Adams and Rob Ward in the pack and youngster Wynnie Van Zyl into the centre.

The game plan stayed the same, and with the forwards winning more ball Steve Collins got his backs moving. Winger Mark Thomas, who had another good game, made the hard yards and was rewarded with a try well out. Collins converted.

Sandbach were under severe pressure and a penalty by Collins saw Rochdale reduce the gap further.

The visitors were then awarded a scrum 20 metres from the line. Darren James found flyhalf Collins who skipped inside his opposite number and rounded the fullback to score between the posts.

The Sandbach pack was tiring, and Rochdale turned the screw, the visitors’ forwards driving in for a try by Adams who showed great strength to force his way over the line.

With five minutes to go Rochdale again swept downfield, with Van Zyl and Jonny Mair putting Thomas away to score well out. Collins converted.

Sandbach refused to lie down and gave Rochdale a torrid time in the closing minutes before the official called time.

It was a pity there had to be a loser. Both sides played expansive rugby and produced a tremendous game for their respective supporters.

On Saturday Rochdale are at home to Wilmslow, kick-off 3pm.