Sandal RUFC

Sandal R.U.F.C - U15s

Match Reports 2008/9

19th April 2009 - Sandal 22 v West Park Leeds 24

Sandal suffered a narrow defeat by 24 points to 22 but the reality was that, in the end, the home side had given themselves too much to do with WPL having built up a 24 points to 5 lead going into the final quarter of the game.

Sandal started brightly enough with their forwards taking the game to WPL but after 10 minutes they failed to deal effectively with line out ball in their own twenty two and the visitors took advantage to break through and score the try. This was converted to give WPL a seven points lead. Then failure to cover the blind side at a ruck allowed WPL a free run to the line, the resulting conversion gave the visitors a fourteen points lead. Sandal came back into the game and scored a try of their own on the stroke of half time when, from a penalty close to the WPL line, flanker Elliott Munnelly took the ball and crossed wide out.

At half time WPL lead by 14 points to 5.

In the second half Sandal again enjoyed a lot of possession but were not able to make it count. The visitors on the other hand competed well in the loose and always looked dangerous with ball in hand, their backs being well marshalled from the fly half position. They were rewarded with two further tries, one from a forward drive following a penalty close to the Sandal line and one resulting from a strong run to the line by the WPL left winger. Neither tries were converted but WPL now held a healthy 24 points to 5 lead. Sandal at last got into gear and more direct running by the back line led to tries by back row, James Taylor, centre Andrew Scatchard and hooker, George Prior, the latter following good work by the forwards near the WPL line. Luke Benson added one conversion and the score was now down to 24 points to 22 in the visitors favour. However, there was little time left on the clock and that was how the game finished.

A good effort by both sides in warm conditions and on a dry, hard pitch. The match was very competitive but played in the right spirit. Sandal will be disappointed with the loss but can take encouragement from the fact they kept going until the final whistle. Man of the Match for Sandal was Ryan Potgieter.

29th March 2009 - Leodiensian 27 v Sandal 5
Leo's were the first to put points on the board with a try after 10 minutes of the game following a period of pressure in the Sandal twenty two. This was followed by a second Leo's try when a kick through caused some hesitation in the visitor’s defence and the home player was the first to the ball to touch down. Credit to Sandal, they came back from this disappointment to produce a good period of rugby which they rounded off with a try by prop forward, Iain Cramphorn, following strong runs from Giles Wright and Alex Kirby.

At half time the score was 10 points to 5 in Leo's favour.

Sandal's chances of getting on an even footing were dealt an early blow in the second half when another kick through by Leo's, a tactic they employed to good effect throughout the match, resulted in a chase to the line which a Leo's player narrowly won to touch down for a try.

Back came Sandal with a period of pressure of their own but they were unable to capitalise and Leo's rounded off the match with two more tries, one of which was converted, to give them victory by 27 points to 5.

For Sandal there were some good displays, especially from James Kettel and Aidan Simpson, but a lesson for Sandal to learn is that they cannot afford to turn over as much ball in contact as they did today and expect to win.

22nd March 2009 - Sandal 15 v Pontefract 34
For this match Sandal struggled to put together a side due to a recent spate of injuries to key players as well as some who were unavailable. However, they got off to the best of starts when a mistake in the Pontefract mid-field allowed Sandal captain, Andrew Scatchard, to gather the ball and race away to score beneath the posts to give his side a five points lead.

Pontefract then began to settle and their big, powerful side, started to ask questions of the Sandal defence. They were rewarded for a sustained period of pressure near the Sandal line with a try to level the scores. This noticeably lifted the visitors and they dominated the rest of the half, running in three more tries which, with an added conversion, gave them a comfortable half time lead of 22 points to 5.

The second half proved a more even affair with an early Pontefract try being answered by a Sandal score in the corner from winger, Alex Kirby, following good running and handling amongst the backs. Both sides added a further try apiece, Sandal's being scored by back row, Ed Scatchard, to give Pontefract a deserved win by 34 points to 15.

15th March 2009 - Halifax 48 v Sandal 15
This was always going to be a tough game for Sandal. The two teams had met on the first day of the season and that had proved a very even game. On this occasion Sandal travelled with a squad of only sixteen players due to injuries and unavailability and this entailed a number of players playing out of position.

Halifax gave an indication of what was to come when, following a fairly even first five minutes, they spun the ball along their back line and a good break opened up the Sandal defence for a score under the posts that was duly converted for a 7 points to nil lead. Sandal's cause was then dealt a further blow when prop, Frank Cartwright, was forced off with a broken nose which required hospital treatment. Halifax continued to impress, especially in their back division, where they demonstrated plenty of pace and good angles of running, albeit on occasions aided by some questionable tackling from the visitors. At half time Halifax had scored four tries, two of which they converted, to lead by 24 points to 5. Sandal's reply had come by way of an Aidan Simpson try in the corner.

The second half was much of the same, with Halifax again scoring four tries and two conversions, although Sandal did get into the game a little more and were rewarded with two tries, one from hard working forward, Ryan Potgieter, and the other from winger, Alex Kirby, who also pulled off a couple of try saving tackles.

The game ended in a deserved win to Halifax by 48 points to 15, having out gunned Sandal in almost every department of the game. Sandal now need to regroup with a good training session on Thursday prior to the visit of Pontefract on Sunday.

8th March 2009 - Sandal 0 v Old Brodleians 19
Sandal went down in this match to a defeat by 19 points to nil, Old Brods adding a converted second half try to two first half tries and a conversion.

This was always going to prove a tough match for Sandal as Old Brodleians are a strong and well drilled outfit. In addition Sandal were forced to play several players out of their usual positions due to unavailabilities.

Old Brods' strong pack controlled the match for the majority of the game with Sandal finding it difficult to break the gain line and thus get any flow into their game. That said, Sandal stuck to their task and Old Brods were made to work for their scores. Ciaran Murphy at second row had a good game for the hosts, as did Adam Richardson and Jack Saunders in the backs.

Old Brods were well worth their victory but the Sandal lads can take heart from a battling performance against a good side.

1st March 2009 - Huddersfield YMCA 15 v Sandal 12
This was the second meeting of the season between the two clubs at U15 level. In early January the teams had fought out a 20 points to 20 draw and this game proved to be just as tight.

Sandal had a few regular players absent, especially in the pack, due to Central Yorkshire commitments but this gave an excellent opportunity for other players to step up to the mark and they didn't disappoint.

The visitors had the best of starts with a try by powerful number eight, Josh Scott, after only five minutes. This resulted from an excellent passage of play by the Sandal forwards who demonstrated good control with a series of pick and drives from the rucks. George Hulme added the conversion and Sandal had a seven nil lead. However, YMCA got back into the game when their scrum-half picked up at the base of a scrum midway into the Sandal half and set off on a run to the line, evading several would be tacklers to score a fine try. The hosts then took the lead some minutes later when quick hands and strong running led to a try by the YMCA centre. This was converted and YMCA now held a 12 points to 7 lead.

Prior to half time Sandal exerted pressure near to the YMCA line. At a resultant scrum the visitors managed to secure ball from the oppositions put in and Josh Scott picked up to power over for his second try. The conversion attempt was narrowly wide and the teams turned around at half time with the scores level at 12 points apiece.

The second half was again a very even affair, with both sides showing full blooded commitment and with good tackling preventing either side being able to make the break through. Then, with just over five minutes to go, Sandal were penalised for an infringement and YMCA opted to kick for goal. The resultant penalty was well struck by the YMCA fly-half and the hosts now led by 15 points to 12. Although Sandal tried hard for the last five minutes to rescue the game, YMCA held firm and an excellent contest finished with a narrow win to YMCA by 15 points to 12.

Well done to both teams for another tight and exciting game from which both sides can take a lot of positives.

22nd February, Yorkshire Cup 3rd Round - Sheffield 19 v Sandal 12
Sandal U15's bowed out of the Yorkshire Cup, but not without a fight and they can hold their heads up high.

It certainly didn't look as if that would be the case after the first fifteen minutes of the game, when Sheffield held a 19 points to nil lead. The hosts set off in determined fashion and had Sandal constantly pinned back in their own twenty two and unable to relieve the pressure. Sheffield are a good team with a particularly impressive set of backs who handle well and possess genuine pace. It was no surprise when they opened the scoring on seven minutes following quick hands and good lines of running, which exposed the Sandal defence and led to a try which was subsequently converted. Worse was to follow for Sandal when a kick out of defence only found a Sheffield player and they ran the ball back at pace to score under the posts. The resulting conversion gave Sheffield a 14 points to nil lead which was increased on fifteen minutes when the powerful Sheffield number eight picked up the ball at the base of a five metre scrum and drove over to extend the lead to nineteen points.

At this point Sandal gradually got themselves back into the contest, with their forwards taking the game to Sheffield. They were unfortunate not to get on the score board when, following a series of forward drives which took them close to the Sheffield line, the ball was spun wide but unfortunately knocked on with the try line looming.

At half time Sheffield led by 19 points to nil.

With some change in personnel, Sandal started the second half the way they had finished the first and had Sheffield pinned back into their own twenty two. The reward for their pressure came from a well worked move by the Sandal backs which centre, James Kettel, did well to finish off under the posts. Josh Scott added the conversion and Sandal were back in the game. Five minutes later Sandal scored another try through stand-off, Jack Murray, following good support work from forwards and backs. The conversion was missed but the deficit was now cut to seven points.

It looked like Sandal may now have gained the initiative, but credit to Sheffield, they rallied and put Sandal under pressure near their own line. Neither set of players could make the break through due, in the main, to determined tackling by both sides. At the final whistle victory went to Sheffield by 19 points to 12.

Well done to Sheffield and good luck in the next round. For Sandal, Cameron Taylor had a fine game at Full Back and the whole Sandal pack played well, following the initial Sheffield onslaught.

25th January 2009 - Sandal 22 v Moortown 19
Sandal entertained Moortown on a heavy pitch and it was a credit to both teams that they were able to produce an exciting game with some quality rugby played by both sides.

Sandal were the first on the score board following an excellent passage of play where the ball was recycled through several phases. Good hands along the back line then released winger, Alex Kirby, to go over for a try. The conversion was missed but Sandal went back on the offensive and good hands again put Alex Kirby in for his second try. The conversion was again missed but Sandal led by 10 points to nil.

Any thoughts that Sandal might have an easy passage were quickly dispelled when a clever dummy move by Moortown, in the middle of the field, wrong footed the Sandal defence and the visitor's winger raced through the gap to score under the posts. The conversion went narrowly wide but Sandal's lead had been cut to five points. However they restored the ten points advantage just before half time when left winger, Matty Burgoyne, went in at the corner. At the interval Sandal led by 15 points to 5.

The second half started brightly for Sandal as they put the visitors under further pressure but some careless play gave Moortown the ball and their player showed burning pace to outstrip the Sandal defence and score beneath the posts. The resulting conversion brought the score to 15 points to 12 in Sandal's favour.

Both sides were now giving it their all and play was fairly evenly matched, when quick passing from a ruck gave Alex Kirby the chance to race away and score under the posts for his hat trick. Aidan Simpson added the conversion. Sandal then enjoyed the upper hand as both sets of players began to tire in the energy sapping conditions but, on the final whistle, Sandal lost the ball in midfield and a Moortown player collected the loose ball and raced away form his own half to score beneath the posts. The conversion was added.

At full time Sandal had won the match by 22 points to 19. This was a tremendous effort from both sets of players who defied the conditions to produce some excellent phases of rugby. All the Sandal players who took the field played their full part in the victory and can be pleased with their contributions.

18th January 2009 - Hull Ionians 19 v Sandal 5
Sandal travelled to Hull Ionians for what was always going to be a potentially difficult game. In the end they suffered defeat by 19 points to 5 but put up a good showing in a very hard fought, and for the most part, even game.

The opening exchanges were pretty even with strong tackling and rucking by both teams. Then Ionians spun the ball wide allowing their winger to make it almost to the line. He was held up by some determined Sandal defence and the pressure was momentarily relieved. However, Ionians kept up the pressure and another strong run from midfield resulted in a try for the hosts which was duly converted.

This seemed to be a wake up call for Sandal and they then played some of their best rugby of the game. A couple of strong runs by winger, Alex Kirby, who enjoyed a fine game, twice took them close to the Ionians' line only for excellent cover tackling by the home side to deny them a score. Then, following some good handling along the line, winger, Matty Burgoyne, went in at the corner for a try to reduce the deficit to 7 points to 5. Unfortunately for Sandal, just before the break, they failed to deal effectively with a loose ball from an Ionians kick and the hosts collected the ball to race away and score. A further conversion meant that Ionians went in at the break leading by 14 points to 5.

Almost immediately from the restart Sandal found themselves pinned back inside their own twenty two, a situation that was not helped by the decision to run two penalties from close to their own try line. Good tackling by Ionians meant that Sandal never cleared the danger and they were made to pay when the host's powerful centre found a gap in the Sandal defence to go over for a try.

As the match wore on it became a little fragmented, due in the main to a number of injuries and both sides being pulled up for infringements. As a result neither side seemed able to gain any rhythmn and the match ended in victory to Ionians by 19 points to 5.

There are plenty of positives for Sandal to take from this game, a game played with full blooded commitment by both sets of players.

11th January 2009 , Yorkshire Cup 2nd round - Sandal 42 v Keighley 0
Sandal entertained Keighley in the 2nd round of the Yorkshire Cup and came away with victory by 42 points to nil.

Sandal started the match in determined fashion and took play to near the Keighley line. However good defence on the part of Keighley meant that they cleared their lines with a good kick to touch. Sandal soon regained their momentum and following a series of good forward drives by Ed Cudworth, James Taylor and Alex Baldwin, hooker, George Prior, was on hand to pick up the ball and force his way over the line for the first try.

Sandal continued to have the upper hand but were being made to work hard against a determined Keighley side. They increased their lead with probably the best try of the match, when a combination of good interpassing between forwards and backs sent captain, Andrew Scatchard over for a try. Keighley then enjoyed a period of pressure, although Sandal always looked dangerous with the pace of their backs and just before half time crisp passing along the line sent in winger, Alex Kirby, for a try.

At the interval Sandal led by 15 points to nil.

It was more of the same in the second half when the hard working and strong running second row, Josh Scott, timed his pass to perfection to send winger, Matty Burgoyne, in at the corner. Scott was then rewarded for all his good work when he showed good pace to score a try. The elusive running of full back, Adam Richardson, enabled him to beat the Keighley cover to score a brace of tries, one of which was converted by Aidan Simspon. Then number eight, Simpson, gained just reward for an all action performance when he scored Sandal's final try.

At the final whistle Sandal had gained an impressive victory by 42 points to nil. The scoreline did not do justice to Keighley, who maintained their commitment throughout the full game. Sandal put in a very good team performance on the day with not a weak link amongst the twenty players who took to the field for them.

4th January 2009 - Huddersfield YMCA 20 v Sandal 20
For their first match of 2009 Sandal visited Huddersfield YMCA and came away with a hard fought draw, 20 points all.

YMCA were the more dominant side throughout the first half, indeed Sandal were unable to get out of their own half for the first twenty minutes of the game such was the pressure YMCA put them under. The hosts took a deserved lead with a converted try and added to their tally with a penalty before Sandal managed to mount a meaningful attack. Then a good run from full back, Adam Richardson, took him to within yards of the YMCA line where good support drove him over the line for a try. However, further pressure from YMCA gained them a penalty when Sandal were penalised for coming in from the side and they were able to extend their lead to 13 points to 5 at the break.

Sandal made a great start to the second half when Josh Scott, who had come on after a long lay off through injury, made a strong weaving run that beat the YMCA cover for a fine try. However, it was not long before a blind side move from a scrum on half way sent the YMCA right winger away for a try in the corner. A fine conversion wide out took the hosts lead to 20 points to 10 and it looked as if there may be no way back for Sandal. To their credit the visitors regrouped and it was now that they played their best rugby of the match with forwards and backs combining well. Scrum half, Luke Benson, pulled a try back following a good break, then second row, Sam Woodgate, who had enjoyed a fine match forced his way over for a try to level the scores. The conversion attempt sailed narrowly wide and the game ended Huddersfield YMCA 20 points, Sandal 20 points.

A fair result overall and a very competitive game, played hard but in the right spirit by both teams.

21st December 2008 - Sandal 34 v Sheffield Tigers 7
Sandal U15's returned to action following several weeks without a game due to the weather. Sheffield Tigers were the opposition and what a good, hard fought game it turned out to be.

Sandal exerted the early pressure and were rewarded with a try by second row, Alex Baldwin, who drove over the Tigers line following good work by the pack. Sandal's second try was also an excellent effort scored by right winger, Matty Burgoyne, who collected the ball just inside his own half and raced away to the line. This followed some good work initially by scrum half, Luke Benson. Fly Half, George Hulme, converted well from wide out and Sandal led by 12 points to nil.

Sheffield Tigers then came into the game. Their forwards were hard working throughout and their team enjoyed some sustained phases of possession. For a considerable period Tigers were camped on Sandal's line, but some committed defence kept them out. Then, as often happens, Sandal went to the other end of the field, number eight, Aidan Simpson, collected a pass in midfield and showing good pace raced to the line to give Sandal a 17 points to nil half time lead.

The second half began with Sandal having to again defend their line from some determined Tiger's drives. They eventually cleared their lines and when play moved into the Tigers twenty two, Aidan Simpson was again on hand to finish off a good Sandal move with a try. Captain, Andrew Scatchard, added the conversion. From the kick off Tigers scored almost immediately with a chip over the Sandal defence that was well collected by a Tigers player who raced under the posts to score. The conversion was added. This score was the least the Tigers deserved for their full blooded commitment throughout the game.

Sandal controlled the final five minutes of the game and were rewarded with further tries by Aidan Simpson, his hat trick, and Iain Cramphorn. At the final whistle the score was Sandal 34 points, Sheffield Tigers 7 points.

Well played by both sides, the game was more even than the scoreline suggests and Sandal had to work very hard for their victory. The whole team played for each other with excellent first up tackling and a committed forwards effort in which all the pack worked tirelessly.

23rd November 2008 - Sheffield 56 v Sandal 7
Sandal travelled to Sheffield with only a basic fifteen players due to a string of injuries and unavailability. This meant that a number of players had to play out of position. Sheffield are a strong, well drilled side with plenty of genuine pace out wide and this was always going to be a big ask for the Sandal lads.

They started the game in determined fashion and held their own for the first fifteen minutes but Sheffield then began to exert pressure and, as expected, made good use of their impressive wing men. After their first score, tries came for Sheffield at regular intervals and Sandal's cause was not helped when, after twenty minutes, they lost back row, Aidan Simpson, to an injury and had to play the rest of the match with fourteen players. Still, just before the break, determined work by the Sandal pack resulted in a try for Iain Cramphorn, which was well converted from wide out by George Hulme.

The second half followed the same pattern as the first with Sheffield exploiting their pace and some indifferent Sandal tackling to rack up more scores. As the half wore on Sandal became somewhat dispirited with Sheffield starting to score at will. The referee wisely blew for time early and Sheffield had won deservedly by 56 points to 7.

A heavy defeat but there were some good patches of play by Sandal for whom fly-half, Jack Murray, had an outstanding game against the odds, running and tackling his heart out.

16th November 2008 - Pocklington v Sandal and Driffield v Sandal.
Sandal travelled to Pocklington to take part in a tricorn with both Pocklington and Driffield.

In the first game Sandal took on Pocklington who fielded a physically imposing set of players, especially in the forwards. However the match proved to be a very even affair. Sandal competed well in the loose and in the first half dominated the scrums. They looked dangerous with ball in hand and were the first to score through second row, Iain Cramphorn. Pocklington were always a danger, especially through their powerful forward drives, and they soon got on the scoreboard with a try under the posts following a tap penalty close to the Sandal line. The try was converted to give Pocklington the lead. Back came Sandal to score wide out through winger, Matty Burgoyne, and so regain the lead. However, Pocklington scored a second converted try just before the break to turn around 14 points to 10 in the lead.

The second half followed very much the pattern of the first but two further tries to Pocklington extended their lead to fourteen points. Sandal stuck to their task and were rewarded two minutes before time with a try from hooker, George Prior, converted by Luke Benson. The final whistle sounded with victory to Pocklington by 24 points to 17.

In the second game Sandal played Driffield. Impressive back row forward Aidan Simpson had suffered a knock in the first game and could take no part. Worse was to follow for Sandal when after only two minutes of the game, Ciaran Murphy had to be stretchered off with a serious looking leg injury. However, despite these set backs, Sandal were the first to score through scrum half, Luke Benson. Sandal seemed to have the upper hand but were knocked back by two quick Driffield scores which meant that Driffield led by 12 points to 5 at the interval.

Sandal dominated the second half and were rewarded with a try by second row, Ryan Potgieter, to bring the scores within two points. Sandal pressed for the winning score but to no avail. Twice they created clear overlaps but were let down by poor execution with the line begging. The game finished with victory to Driffield by 12 points to 10.

It was particularly disappointing to loose two close matches, especially when Sandal played some good running rugby. However, good spirit was shown throughout the team and this bodes well for the future. Best wishes to Ciaran and an update will be provided when the seriousness of his injury is known.

9th November 2008 - Pontefract 19 v Sandal 24
Sandal U15's visit to Pontefract turned out to be a close fought and, ultimately, exciting affair where there was never more than one score separating the sides. Sandal eventually triumphing by 24 points to 19.

The match was played throughout with a strong wind blowing across the pitch and it was a credit to both sides that they were able to produce some excellent phases of rugby.

Pontefract got off to the brighter start where their big pack caused Sandal problems with aggressive but fair rucking; and some powerful drives by their forwards that brought them close to the Sandal line on a number of occasions. Good tackling by all the Sandal players prevented a Pontefract score and they gradually fought their way back into the game. The match was proving very evenly balanced with both sides making promising breaks which were thwarted by good tackling and some spilled ball, the latter the result to a certain extent of the difficult conditions. After the first third of the game the match remained scoreless.

Sandal then broke the deadlock when, after a period of sustained pressure near to the Pontefract line, they recycled the ball well for centre, Adam Richardson, to show good pace and score wide out. The conversion was missed. Back came Pontefract and it was their turn to pressurise the Sandal line. After several strong surges by their forwards they managed to force their way over for a try. The conversion was again missed and the scores were tied at 5 points each at the break.

Almost immediately from the restart Pontefract scored a try following a surging run that broke several would be Sandal tackles. The conversion was added and the hosts now led by 12 points to 5. Back came Sandal and some quick movement of the ball along the back line put winger, Alex Kirby, in at the corner. There was no conversion but almost from the restart Sandal regained the lead when full back, Cameron Taylor, entered the line at pace to touch down in the corner. Scrum-half, Luke Benson, added a superb conversion from wide out and Sandal led by 17 points to 12. Pontefract were not finished though and a good break by their fly-half brought him a try near the posts which was converted and the hosts now led by two points. The final score of the game fell to Sandal when good hands put Adam Richardson in for his second try which was converted by George Hulme.

At the final whistle Sandal had won by 24 points to 19 but both teams can take enormous credit for their displays. It was a hard fought contest played in a wonderful spirit. All the Sandal lads put in a great effort with special mention going to second row, Ciaran Murphy, who had an outstanding game and was deservedly voted Sandal's man of the match.

The only down side to the day were injuries to Sandal players, Josh Scott and Frank Cartwright, and to the Pontefract prop. Josh's injury was particularly nasty and we wish him and the other two injured players a speedy recovery.

26th September 2008 - WPL v Sandal
No match report - our roving reporter was sunning himself on a beach somewhere in Majorca.

19th October 2008, Yorkshire Cup 1st round - Sandal 40 v Scarborough 5
Sandal entertained Scarborough in the first round of the Yorkshire Cup. It was the first meeting between the two teams at this age level.

The game started with Scarborough exerting pressure on Sandal and taking play deep in to the hosts twenty two. Sandal's forwards, who were impressive throughout the game, then began to get the upper hand. Following some good work at the ruck, Sandal spun the ball out along the back line for centre, Adam Richardson, to go over for the try. Some five minutes later Sandal doubled their lead when good hands put number eight, Josh Scott, away to score in the corner. Scott then scored a fine solo try when he collected the loose ball after the Sandal forwards had turned the ball over at a ruck. He sprinted away from the Scarborough cover to score under the posts despite a valiant effort to catch him from a Scarborough centre. George Hulme added the conversion and Sandal led by 17 points to nil. As half time approached, Scarborough exerted some good pressure of their own and found themselves camped on the Sandal try line. Despite some good defending by Sandal the pressure told and a Scarborough forward forced his way over the line for a try. As the half time whistle blew Sandal held the lead by 17 points to 5.

In the second half Sandal enjoyed a stiff breeze at their backs and this, combined with more good forward play, meant they were able to play most of the game in the visitor's half. Scarborough strove valiantly and could not be faulted for their effort or team spirit but the pressure told with further tries coming with a brace from Scott and then one each for fullback, Cameron Taylor and replacement winger, Jack Saunders, the latter two the result of good back line play.

George Hulme had added a penalty in between the tries and at the final whistle Sandal had won by 40 points to 5.

This was a good all round display by the Sandal side and although some areas of their play require more work on the training ground, they are building a useful squad of players

12th October - Wetherby 7 v Sandal 31
Other commitments for a number of the Sandal squad meant that it was always going to be difficult to raise a team. Further late withdrawals meant that Sandal arrived at Wetherby with only 14 players. However, the team rose magnificently to the challenge to make light of the player deficit and come away with victory by 50 points to 14.

From the off Sandal took the game to Wetherby; and after a series of well executed forward drives, flanker, Frank Cartwright, was able to literally stroll over near the posts to score. Josh Scott added the conversion to give Sandal an early seven points lead. From then on Sandal never looked back, they played some good rugby with intelligent connecting play between forwards and backs which, despite their one man advantage, had Wetherby constantly stretched in defence. Sandal were rewarded with four further tries before the break, through number eight, Ciaran Murphy and a hat trick by Josh Scott, a back row forward who filled in well at centre and who also converted two of the tries. Wetherby had few chances due some good tackling by the Sandal team, their only score coming from a pick up and drive near the Sandal line. This was converted to give a half time score of Wetherby 7 points, Sandal 31.

In the second half Sandal continued to dominate and were soon on the score sheet again when centre, Adam Richardson, showed good pace to beat the Wetherby cover and run in under the posts. Josh Scott converted. Then straight from the kick off, debutant winger, Jack Saunders, caught the ball and set off on a straight run down the touchline, beating the Wetherby defence for pace and scoring the try. Josh Scott then added another try and conversion to put Sandal 50 points to 7 ahead.

As well as their attacking play Sandal nullified any Wetherby threat with some good first up tackling by all the team. The only down side to on an otherwise fine day for Sandal was a nasty hand injury suffered by Ciaron Murphy which forced him to leave the field. This resulted in Sandal being down to 13 mean for the last ten minutes of the game and they conceded a converted try right at the death. The final score was Wetherby 14 points, Sandal 50.

A great effort by all the team with man of the match going to winger, Matty Burgoyne, who although not getting on the score sheet played very well in defence with some fine tackling.

5th October - Moortown 26 v Sandal 17
Sandal U15's suffered their first defeat of the season, going down by 26 points to 17 in a close game.

The match was played throughout with uncontested scrums due to a lack of experienced front row players in the Moortown ranks. This proved to be to Sandal's disadvantage, as they held the upper hand throughout the game in the forwards and were denied the opportunity to take full advantage in the scrum and so disrupt Moortown ball.

Moortown were the first to score when they took advantage of some poor alignment in the Sandal defence and their winger, showing good speed, raced through to score under the posts. The conversion was added to give a lead of 7 points to nil. Sandal came back though and after a period of sustained pressure, where their forwards drove the ball on, number 8, Josh Scott was able to squeeze over in the corner to reduce the deficit to two points. Sandal continued to enjoy good possession but again some indifferent tackling allowed Moortown to add another try just before half time to give them an interval lead of 12 points to 5.

The second half started well for Sandal with a strong run by Josh Scott allowing him to touch down in the corner to bring the score to 12 points to 10 in Moortowns favour. Then following a good pick up from the rear of the scrum, Scott ran towards the Moortown line and a good off load allowed Elliott Munnelly to score. George Hulme added the conversion and Sandal now led by 17 points to 12. It looked as if Sandal now had the game under control but again some good movement by the Moortown backs, allied to some sloppy defending, allowed the hosts to add two more converted tries and so lead by 26 points to 17.

Despite some intense pressure from Sandal in the closing minutes they were unable to reduce the arears and the game ended with victory to Moortown by 26 points to 17.

There were some good parts to Sandal's display, especially in the forward effort, but also some areas to work on in training.

21st September - Pontefract 22 v Sandal 38
Sandal travelled to Ponterfract and came away with a victory by 38 points to 22.

As with last week, Sandal settled quickly recycling the ball well at the rucks and stretching the Pontefract defence. They were rewarded with a try after five minutes by number eight, Josh Scott. Sandal then opened up a healthy lead when fly half, Andrew Scratchard and centre, Aidan Simpson, crossed for trys, both efforts being converted by scrum half, George Hulme. At this stage Sandal led by 19 points to nil. However, as the half drew to a close Pontefract got their act together and came back into the game. Their powerful forwards set up a series of drives and were twice held up over the line by resolute Sandal defending; but their hard work was rewarded with a try on the stroke of half time, which was well converted from wide out, to bring the score at the interval to 19 points to 7 in Sandal's favour.

The second half started well for the hosts when Sandal failed to deal effectively with the kick off. Pontefract gained possession and after sustained pressure scored out wide to narrow Sandal's lead to just seven points. To their credit, Sandal regrouped and Josh Scott was on hand to force his way over for his second try. Back came Pontefract to score their third try and again put themselves within a converted score of their visitors. By now the game had developed into a cracking battle with both teams giving all they had in the hot conditions. The forward play of both sets of players was of the top quality as was the tackling.

Sandal were able to edge futher into the lead with two trys from Aidan Simpson, completeing his hat trick, both of which were converted by George Hulme. However, they could not relax as Pontefract came back with a try of their own and continued to press to the final whistle. The game ended with the score of Pontefract 22 points, Sandal 38 points.

A terrfic game played in the right spirit with both teams giving their all in sweltering conditions. An excellent display from all the Sandal lads with a special mention going to debutant, James Taylor, who put in an all action display at flanker.

14th September 2008 Sandal 39 v Halifax 25

Sandal U15's first match of the season against Halifax turned out to be a cracker of a game with the result in doubt until the final minutes.

Sandal started brightly with good work by the pack presenting quality ball to the backs and they raced into a 12 points lead through tries by Adam Richardson and Danny O'Connor, the latter converted by George Hulme. However, Halifax hit straight back when Sandal failed to adequately deal with the re-start, allowing Halifax to regain possession and feed the ball out to their wing man to score. Two further Halifax tries then arrived in quick succession when on both occassions they made use of the overlap to score in the corner. At half time Halifax led by 15 points to 12.

Once again Sandal started the second half as they had the first and were rewarded with an Andrew Scatchard try. However, Halifax continued to cause problems for Sandal with some astute kicking from hand by their flyhalf, which caused problems for Sandal in defence and it was no suprise when Halifax scored again to regain the lead. Back came Sandal with a try from from the ever impressive Josh Scott, only for Halifax to again peg them back with further tries. It was not until tries from debutant winger, Cameron Taylor, right wing, Matty Burgoyne (his first for the side) and Iain Cramphorn, the latter converted by Josh Scott, that the result was secured.

At the final whistle Sandal had won by 39 points to 25. A great effort from all the team, the forwards in particular putting in a tenacious display. Special mention too for debutants, Alex Kirby, Cameron Taylor and Alex Baldwin who all contributed well. Finally a big thank you to the Halifax players who put in a tremendous performance to make it such a hard fought game.

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