North 2 West, 24th November 2007

Sandbach 16 v 18 Broughton Park

'Park were in possession in their own 22 and the 'Park outhalf chipped the ball ahead only for Sandbach to get possession and spin the ball out along the line. Sandbach kept the ball alive and pierced 'Park's rather zig-zag defensive line. The Sandbach winger nearly made the line but was stopped only for a forward following up to score an unconverted try after 5 minutes. 5 - 0.

The Sandbach backs were looking lively and managed to get through 'Park's again rather zig-zag defensive line to score a well worked try to make the score 10 - 0 after 7 minutes.

'Park came back into the game and drove the ball towards the Sandbach line. The ball was quickly sent out to the backs with full back Ronan O'Brien coming into the line but he was stopped a foot short of the line. The referee had spotted an earlier infringement and Ronan put over a simple penalty in front of the posts. 3 - 10 after 15 minutes.

'Park kicked ahead and Tom Mapp fielded the return kick and took the ball into contact. 'Park won the ball from the maul and sent it out along the backs to Joe Kennedy who fed Ronan O'Brien coming into the line. Ronan delayed his pass because no-one was up in support but this eventually arrived his pass overshot Paddy O'Donnell to flanker Pete MacMahon who scored near the posts. Ronan converted. 10 - 10.

'Park kicked the ball ahead but it did not test the opposition who ran it back. The 'Park centre high tackled a Sandbach player and were punished with a penalty to make the score 10 - 13 at half-time.

Ten minutes into the 2nd half 'Park had a scrummage just outside the Sandbach 22 the ball was flicked out to stand-off Tom Mapp who dummied to the winger but kept the ball himself to score in the corner. Ronan just missed the conversion. 13 - 15.

'Park were having most of the possession and William 'Big Mitch' Mitchell, another Irish import, coming on for the injured Pete MacMahon went close a couple of times but was thwarted by good defence.

'Park were pressing the Sandbach line but a series of penalties brought them back to within the Sandbach kicker's range and much to the joy of the home spectators put them into a 1 point lead with 2 minutes on the clock to go.

'Park returned to pressing the Sandbach line and were rewarded with a difficult penalty kick which full back Ronan O'brien took his time over but the 'Park faithful were sent into raptures when the kick went over to give 'Park a 16 - 18 lead deep into injury time.

Almost from the kick off 'Park had a scare when the 'Park outhalf, attempting to kick the ball off the field to end the game, had the kick charged down and held back the Sandbach player, but the referee had spotted an earlier infringement by Sandbach and blew for full time.