Sandbach 4s 18 - Didsbury Toc H 4s 17

A great performance by the forth team at Sandbach, marred by broken arm and collar bone injuries to debutant (and really good prospect) Matt Fitzgerald and colt (equally good prospect) Mike Petty.
Toc started slowly and were in the main out matched in size but not commitment by the Sandbach table toppers. Whilst Sandbach had much the better of the first half, the Toc back row of Dave Brookes, Andy Taylor and Chris Scampton kept the score down with a great tackling and mobile performance. It must have taken its toll on Brookes and Taylor who both begged to come off at half time as they were “a bit tired”. The other key factor in this half was the front row performance of Baron von Trapp, Reynolds and Griffiths who manned up against a bigger pack and ensured a fair share of ball was achieved.

Whilst Sandbach had a half time lead of 13-0 it was not insurmountable, though they should not have had such a lead had Massingham the Elder been able to kick any of the 3 penalties awarded. Indeed it was a shabby goal kicking performance from the very elder statesman, blamed on an attack of gout after the game. When the kicking duties were passed on to Clive Riley he fared no better kicking a conversion under the cross bar from right in front.
It was clear that the rest of the team had had enough and set about scoring tries to claw the lead back. Toc scored 3 glorious tries from our own half in the second half by Riley (great running game), Fitzgerald and the ever trundling Rob Jones. Each involved all the backs including the return after umpteen years of Rick Pym. The one time first team full back losing none of the graceful line braking skills that brought hundreds to the Toc H stands all those decades ago. He has now introduced his 17 year old son Dan to Toc 4s and this County colt will have a big future in Toc seniors, based on his second half performance.

The third try by Jones presented the hapless Massingham with a chance to redeem all with a match winning conversion from the right. As he approached the ball the Sandbach team ran to charge the kick down which is fair enough. But just before connection their team in unison roared what sounded like a Neolithic war cry ensuring that the kick was missed by two feet. The referee deciding that this was acceptable and blew for the end of the game. I don’t think I have seen that at Twickenham when Johnny boy is converting.

All in all a really good performance and that’s us losing to the top 3 sides by less than a score.

We go to Linley & Kidsgrove away in the cup this Saturday.