From the Director’s Chair – Sandal Game

This last fortnight has been a rollercoaster of emotions for the 1st XV lads.

We ground out a 5 point result against Lymm 2 weeks ago, boys feeling it was an error riddled game. The sign of a strong team is playing poorly and winning. In the huddle afterwards emotions were mixed as we won but the performance was not up to our standard we demand from each other. We then get the great news that we moved into second spot with our rivals Billingham slipping up. We feel promotion is in our own hands.

We then have a hard fixture for both our 1s and 2s at Harrogate. The home fixture was a tight affair with their forwards really getting a role on and the backs being very capable. Unfortunately last Saturday was not our day and give credit where credit is due, they deserved the 5 points. They did their homework on our lineout denying us any clean ball. That was a first for the season as it has normally been exceptional. From that they gained vital field position and really pressurised us in that respect. When we got possession they attacked our breakdown well and we did not really get our normal expansive wide game up and running. With this loss we relinquish playoff spot.