Like many others I wasn't able to travel, but those who did reported some positives. Once the pack had sorted out the line-outs they competed well, and for the last 15 minutes of the first half and the first fifteeen of the second had Sandal defending in their own 22.

The game was memorable in that Martin Boatman was drafted onto the bench, and for the final stages of the game played on the wing joined his brothers in fuflilling a wish they have all long harboured. They deserved a better result.

Ian Pinchen did get over in the first half, but we were held up on at least two occasions during those spells of pressure . Phil Wallis got the conversion as his reward for volunteering. 

 By all accounts the home side gave their defence everything, which wasn't something which could be said of the visitors once the home side attacked with some flair and imagination.

Sandal raced into a 22-0 lead after twenty minutes before that try by Pinchen and then coasted him courtesy of a total of ten tries.

The performance of the front five, Ryan Painter and the return from the bench of the Stewart Grazier were the only plus points - although I did spot Stu Waites being able to ride his bike at the weekend so he is obviously recovering.

Billingham are the visitors this week and  after our last three results will be relishing the trip along the A689.

We will be hoping that that we can come close to fielding the side which hammered Birkenhead on the opening day.

West: Colin Cheslin, Tom Armstrong, Andrew Cheslin, Greg Edwards, Andrew Cheslin, Scott Butcher, Phil Wallis, Ryan Painter, Ian Pinchen, Andrew Rollins, Adam Coates, Andrew Davies, Craig Gilmour, Dan Boatman, Nathan Myers, Jon Boatman. Reps; Andrew Dixon, Martin Boatman, Stewart Grazier