CARLISLE 12 – SANDAL 21
Sandal came back from this long away trip with what Assistant Coach Dave Heron described as one of the most satisfying victories since he joined the coaching staff. To come back from 12 nil down after l3 minutes showed great strength of character by the team which gets better and better.
The early pressure came from Sandal who put together a number of phases of play only to be penalised on half way. A quick tap penalty was taken by the home fly half Weightman who then immediately kicked cross field where he found his wing man Rogers unmarked to pick up and score in the corner.
Sandal came back to again build pressure on the home team but again found themselves penalised and pushed back into their own half from the resultant kick. Carlisle then built up some pressure but the Sandal defence appeared to be standing firm only to concede a penalty try for what the referee described as joining a ruck illegally. The fact that the ruck was wide on the touchline and about 20 metres out was to say the least a very harsh decision. The conversion from Weightman was successful and the score of 12 nil totally flattered the home side.
Whilst Sandal were frustrated they did not lose focus and whilst they did not score any points in the first half they were the team playing the most rugby against a side who were playing to a game plan that had seen them take a 12 nil lead.
The second half started with Sandal again making the play but Carlisle were then reduced to 14 men when they had a player sin binned and then Sandal’s Sean Maguire quickly followed. Both decisions appeared harsh but the referee was being consistent.
Sandal, with skipper Dan McCormack to the fore were building pressure on the home defence which finally cracked and gave away two penalties in quick succession which Greg Wood kicked to make the score 12 –6. Sean Maguire did not return from the sin bin due to a leg injury and was replaced by Josh Ferguson and fresh legs had an immediate impact. Ferguson, followed by prop Purcell an back row forward Lee Norris all made good ground with ball in hand which stretched the home defence which finally cracked under the pressure with full back Tom Coad crossing wide out. The conversion was missed but at 12 – 11 it was game on and the score was quickly 14 – 12 to Sandal when Wood kicked his third penalty. There was only going to be one winner now and the game was made safe when more Sandal pressure resulted in a try for Wood who converted to make the score 21 – 12 with some 14 minutes left.
This was not the end of proceedings when a succession of penalties to Carlisle saw them gain good position inside Sandal’s 22 metre area and after good Sandal defence a penalty was awarded for offside. The referee then showed his third yellow card of the game to Greg Wood. Carlisle, despite the numerical advantage never looked like scoring again and this proved to be so.
The home supporters were very gracious in defeat and all agreed that the better side had won.
Sandal take a break from league rugby with the visit of Northwich to Milnthorpe Green for a second round tie in the EDF Intermediate Cup.
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