Marple (u14) - 10 - 36 - Sandbach (u14)

Marple welcomed Sandbach to Wood Lane for the first round proper of the Cheshire Cup.
A number of things didn't go Marple's way on the morning, and the black and reds were left feeling very aggrieved when the first try of the game - a perfectly good dart through a gap and dot down by Isaac B - was disallowed for no clear reason after the referee had already signalled for a try. As the tee came on and the conversion was beginning to be lined up, the referee inexplicably changed his mind, mysteriously citing that he hadn't seen a grounding, must to the bemusement of everybody at the match.

Throughout the first half it was Marple feeling hard done-by, with two of Sandbach's three tries following a clear forward pass and knock-on; unfortunately Marple allowed this to severely dent their confidence and flow, and they went into the break nineteen points down.

Into the second period, Sandbach could feel unfairly punished themselves after being on the receiving end of three yellow cards consecutively which appeared to all as quite harsh. Marple managed to grab a couple of tries through Felix and Tyler as the half at least was competitive, but Sandbach still managed another three tries of their own and their first half lead saw them through to what was a deserved win.

Regardless of the officiating, Sandbach played good rugby and were extremely competitive at the breakdown all day, mixing their short and long game up as they moved from contact areas to score the points needed to take them through to the next round.

Marple still have it all to play for in the Cheshire Plate, with the draw to be made this week.