Sandbach produce late rally, but it falls just short, while Leek are defeated on visit to Blackburn

SANDBACH'S late fightback was in vain as they were beaten 21-19 at Winnington Park in Regional Two North West.

- Chris Travers

(Pics: Andy Mitchell)

It wasn't the ideal start for Sandbach, when Winnington Park claimed their own kickoff despite a miss kick. The hosts would go on to pick up an early kickable penalty and Sandbach were trailing by three points.

Sandbach's lineout needed work early on and penalties were swapped and scrums were reset as both teams tried to adapt to the wet conditions. There was an early break for the visitors when fullback Matt Randle and winger Spike Street made chase, but the move only led to a knock on.

Winnington Park scored the first try of the match, which started from a planned move from a lineout. Sandbach were scrambling and despite a solid tackle from lock Callum Oakden, Park slipped through for the try.

Sandbach responded positively and had a strong attack when Street linked with centre Harry Leese and scrumhalf Laurie Essenhigh. That attack resulted in a Sandbach lineout and minutes later Street was attacking again.

It took three tackles to bring the dynamic winger down, with the last one resulting in an injury for the youngster. Play went on and Leese scooped up the ball after a neat chip through and barrelled over the line for a Sandbach try.

Winnington Park scored again several minutes later as Sandbach struggled to regroup from a quick tap-and-go penalty. As the half drew to a close, Sandbach's defence stood firm as Park couldn't make any further gains.

Sandbach had a player sent to the sin bin and the home side took three more points from a penalty as the hosts went in leading 16-5.

Early in the second half, Sandbach were still a player short as Winnington Park's powerful scrum moved them over the try line for their third try.

Sandbach desperately needed to get a foot in the game and their fightback began with some fast-attacking play from Leese who setup Randle on the wing.