If you're struggling to find that perfect little Christmas gift for someone special in your life (you of course!) then have a look at the Canadian Women's Rugby Team Calendar. What better way to ease those ache and pains after a particularly hard training session? Can't think of one.
Buxton Thirds 0, Sandbach 10
Buxton travelled to a foggy and frosty Sandbach hoping to kick start their season with a win. In a desperately close game they lost narrowly to tries at the start and the end of the game, but won enough possession and had enough territory and chances to have taken the points themselves. The Thirds took to the field wearing the new shirts sponsored by Simply Thai, full of intent. The opening exchanges were hard fought with Buxton's man of the match Ford producing a shuddering tackle, but Sandbach worked themselves in to a strong attacking position and with the Buxton defence lacking precision them breached it to cross the line. Stung by that Buxton went up a gear. With Woodward winning plenty of possession at the lineout there was plenty of possession to work with and Bennison exploited the space to make a series of breaks. Chapman Charles and Allen supported the breaks but the subsequent phases produced slow ball and the game became bogged down in a series of scrums. The front row of Bearman, Fussell and Austin were becoming more and more dominant but handling errors cost Buxton scoring opportunities. A searing break from Bennison tore open the Sandbach defence, as he glided down the wing with Ritchie and Gardin in support he backed himself and appeared to have scored in the corner, only for the eagled eyed referee to disallow it for not grounding the ball.Buxton continued to take the attack to Sandbach, a series of kickable penalties were shunned in favour of lineouts but despite the possession the Thirds could not breach the Sandbach line. Always looking to counter Buxton had to be alert to the threat and Preece and Graham organsied the defence effectively and Rose produced a series of big hits before going off injured to be replaced by Cavanagh.
The second half saw more of the same. Increasingly Buxton were dominating the set pieces but Sandbach looked more effective in the loose. With Gyte on the field the intensity of the tackles went up and some excellent defence repulsed a series of Sandbach attacks close to the line. As the clock ticked away the pressure and tension spilled over. Stratford and Preece combined well and the ball was moved to the backs with increasing desparation. Dawson threatened with half breaks but these came to nothing as dropped passes and slow ball stifled attacking options. With the final scrum of the game Buxton drove the Sandbach eight back ten metres but as the ball spilled out Sandbach got the ball away and ran sixty metres to score in the corner despite the efforts of Purvis and Burton. It was a disappointing end to a game that the Thirds could so easily have won but a failure to maintain pressure at key moments and to nail their chances cost them the game.
Bearman, Fussell, Austin, Woodward, Rose, Charles, Allen, Chapman, Preece, Bennison, Ritchie, Burton, Graham, Ford, Gardin, Cavanagh, Gyte, Stratford,Dawson, Purvis.
Apres Match
MOTM Chris Ford
Next week we are at home to Congleton. We know what we need to do. Chris will send texts later in the week so let him know when you are available ASAP.
