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Sat 13 Jan 2024 · Regional 1 North West
Sandbach
1st XV
21
24
Tries: S Lancaster, M Boustead, R Dadley, N DudsonConversions: M Fearon (2)
SANDBACH 21 PENRITH 24
Mike Sanderson15 Jan - 20:15
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FIRST WIN ON THE ROAD SENDS CUMBRIANS UP TO 7TH
Penrith won their first away game of the season on Saturday against bottom of the table Sandbach, that gave them a third win in four games and they have taken 16 points from a possible 20 and it has in effect turned their season around. Instead of languishing in the bottom two relegation places, which they have done until just prior to Christmas, they have moved up to seventh place 11 points clear of the drop zone. They now head the group of six sides adrift at the bottom of the table all scrambling to avoid relegation.
Reports had come from Sandbach's game at Kendal the week before that they looked looked nothing like a bottom of the league side and they certainly didn't during this game and especially in the first ten minutes. They came at the Cumbrian side with everything they had and played at breakneck speed dominating possession and playing in the Penrith half. Although the visitor's defence was strong penalties were their undoing. They conceded one on the 22 which was taken quickly and then a second moments later just yards from the line which was again a tap and go and the hosts had opened the scoring with a converted try.
The visitors finally got their hands on the ball and scored from their first meaningful piece of possession after 14 minutes, George Graham was the catalyst as he found the gap close to the breakdown and got in behind the defensive line, Mike Fearon was alive to the situation and got himself in close support and took the pass to get clear and he drew the last man on the 22 and set Scott Lancaster away. The full back got to him about five yards out and he just about rode the tackle and stretched the final yard to ground the ball on the line, Fearon converted to level the scores.
With 25 minutes on the clock Penrith took the lead, Graham again was the creator when he took a quick tap penalty on half way, Jay Rossi was the first to react and got on his shoulder to take the pass in traffic. His ball to Fearon got him in the clear and as the cover got to him, as he closed on the line he threw a long pass out left and Matty Boustead strolled in. Fearon again added the two points for a 14-7 lead.
As the first half drew to a close the visitor's pack, as has happened in most games, had their opponents under pressure at the set scrum and disrupted their ball just into the home half. Graham seized on the lose ball and set Rob Coward away up the left who got deep into the 22 before being hauled down. Penrith were awarded a penalty as the scrambling home defence were penalised and they opted for a 5m scrum. They almost forced the score but were then penalised themselves and the ball was cleared.
The home defence were again penalised this time infield on the 22 and Fearon took the penalty shot on, when it just went wide it looked as if the opportunity had been lost but in the final play of the half Penrith were attacking on the home 22. Again the chance looked to have gone begging when the ball ran loose but Boustead tidied it up, set up a bit of momentum and when the ball went right the home defence were light and Nick Dudson was able to draw in the last man and set Richy Dadley on his way with a clear run to the corner. He didn't need a second invitation and sped in. The try was just reward for the teenager stepping up to the plate and making his first senior appearance at hooker, this topped an excellent all action performance from him and probably answered a question troubling the Penrith coaching team most of the season.
The Cumbrians led 19-7 at the break and it looked all over just over 10 minutes into the second period, driving play off the back of good scrum possession on the home 22 pulled in the defence and when the ball was shifted quickly wide to the right Isaac Murray had plenty of time and space to set up Dudson outside him for a try in the corner. The lead was now 17 points and they looked to be home and dry with a bonus point to boot.
There didn't seem to be much to worry about with just over 10 minutes to go when the home side added a second try with a penalty to the corner and a catch and drive try from the lineout. The visitor's defence was strong and although the home side enjoyed decent periods of possession they were limited to lateral movement not making any real penetration, they only made ground when Penrith were penalised and this was now happening with a little more regularity. As full time approached they were again able to kick to the corner and again worked the catch and drive from the line out and a converted try pulling them back within three points.
When the game restarted there was only the added time to be played out and the visitors had their hosts pinned on their 22 until another penalty was conceded. They then had them pinned on half way and a home knock on was the next break in play not a penalty. The final play was a Penrith scrum which was duly won and Graham banged the ball into touch and his side could celebrate their first away win and a much brighter outlook for the rest of the season.
Although they are in a much better place than a month ago there will be nothing easy and that starts with the visit of Wirral this Saturday who sit midtable and will be coming off the back of a confidence boosting win against Blackburn, one of the front runners in the league.
Reports had come from Sandbach's game at Kendal the week before that they looked looked nothing like a bottom of the league side and they certainly didn't during this game and especially in the first ten minutes. They came at the Cumbrian side with everything they had and played at breakneck speed dominating possession and playing in the Penrith half. Although the visitor's defence was strong penalties were their undoing. They conceded one on the 22 which was taken quickly and then a second moments later just yards from the line which was again a tap and go and the hosts had opened the scoring with a converted try.
The visitors finally got their hands on the ball and scored from their first meaningful piece of possession after 14 minutes, George Graham was the catalyst as he found the gap close to the breakdown and got in behind the defensive line, Mike Fearon was alive to the situation and got himself in close support and took the pass to get clear and he drew the last man on the 22 and set Scott Lancaster away. The full back got to him about five yards out and he just about rode the tackle and stretched the final yard to ground the ball on the line, Fearon converted to level the scores.
With 25 minutes on the clock Penrith took the lead, Graham again was the creator when he took a quick tap penalty on half way, Jay Rossi was the first to react and got on his shoulder to take the pass in traffic. His ball to Fearon got him in the clear and as the cover got to him, as he closed on the line he threw a long pass out left and Matty Boustead strolled in. Fearon again added the two points for a 14-7 lead.
As the first half drew to a close the visitor's pack, as has happened in most games, had their opponents under pressure at the set scrum and disrupted their ball just into the home half. Graham seized on the lose ball and set Rob Coward away up the left who got deep into the 22 before being hauled down. Penrith were awarded a penalty as the scrambling home defence were penalised and they opted for a 5m scrum. They almost forced the score but were then penalised themselves and the ball was cleared.
The home defence were again penalised this time infield on the 22 and Fearon took the penalty shot on, when it just went wide it looked as if the opportunity had been lost but in the final play of the half Penrith were attacking on the home 22. Again the chance looked to have gone begging when the ball ran loose but Boustead tidied it up, set up a bit of momentum and when the ball went right the home defence were light and Nick Dudson was able to draw in the last man and set Richy Dadley on his way with a clear run to the corner. He didn't need a second invitation and sped in. The try was just reward for the teenager stepping up to the plate and making his first senior appearance at hooker, this topped an excellent all action performance from him and probably answered a question troubling the Penrith coaching team most of the season.
The Cumbrians led 19-7 at the break and it looked all over just over 10 minutes into the second period, driving play off the back of good scrum possession on the home 22 pulled in the defence and when the ball was shifted quickly wide to the right Isaac Murray had plenty of time and space to set up Dudson outside him for a try in the corner. The lead was now 17 points and they looked to be home and dry with a bonus point to boot.
There didn't seem to be much to worry about with just over 10 minutes to go when the home side added a second try with a penalty to the corner and a catch and drive try from the lineout. The visitor's defence was strong and although the home side enjoyed decent periods of possession they were limited to lateral movement not making any real penetration, they only made ground when Penrith were penalised and this was now happening with a little more regularity. As full time approached they were again able to kick to the corner and again worked the catch and drive from the line out and a converted try pulling them back within three points.
When the game restarted there was only the added time to be played out and the visitors had their hosts pinned on their 22 until another penalty was conceded. They then had them pinned on half way and a home knock on was the next break in play not a penalty. The final play was a Penrith scrum which was duly won and Graham banged the ball into touch and his side could celebrate their first away win and a much brighter outlook for the rest of the season.
Although they are in a much better place than a month ago there will be nothing easy and that starts with the visit of Wirral this Saturday who sit midtable and will be coming off the back of a confidence boosting win against Blackburn, one of the front runners in the league.
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