It was a pleasure to welcome Northern (Based in Gosforth, North of Newcastle ) for their first competitive visit to Sandal to play senior rugby. Sandal have lost two games in succession and newly promoted Northern were looking for their 4th successive victory since moving up a league so there was a lot to play for. Northern started the game well and quickly capitalised on early possession and scored after 3 minutes. This didnt dishearten Sandal, they gathered themselves and played good rugby with strong runs from Walsh with good yards made by Jukes on the left flank. Sandal looked in command with a controlled rolling maul and with good hands Callum Burden went over the line to open Sandals account. Sandal had a good spell of possession and kept control of the ball with simple interchanges between the forward which kept the forward moment. From the forwards possession, the ball was sprayed out wide to fullback Henry West who beat 2 players to score a well worked try in the left corner. After the restart, again, the forwards took control and pushed Northern back which resulted in a penalty which was easily knocked through by West. A strong drive from Richard Travis Carr resulted in a try and Sandal seemed in control as they went into half time 20-14 to the good.
Northern emerged from half time with a point to prove and they took control of the game through their pack and Sandal simply could not get their hands on the ball. Try's from Northern took the game away from Sandal and despite the best of efforts from Sandals defensive, Northern were too much for them. A breakaway try from Declan Thompson in the dying minutes of the game gave Sandal a point but it was too little too late. Sandal have proven they can compete in this division and they must get back to basics and control the game.

Reported by Justin English