The pride of Cheshire

9:49am Thursday 8th May 2008

SANDBACH achieved their own double with a 10-7 victory over rivals Northwich on Monday.

Consolidation in North 2 West along with a trophy was always the plan for Will Stockdale's side.

“I’m very proud of the boys,”

Will Stockdale

And after a fine first league campaign at that level, Sandbach crowned their season by lifting the Vase for the first time in 23 years.

In front of hundreds of their supporters at Winnington, they edged ahead midway through the first half.

Alex Reay crashed over the whitwash with Will Cargill adding the extras.

Northwich levelled with a converted try of their own ten minutes later.

However Cargill gave them an interval lead via a cool penalty Nerves were tested in a tense second half as Northwich applied all the pressure.

A couple of penalty misses proved so costly as Sandbach held out impressively to take victory in the final.

"I'm very proud of the boys," said player coach Stockdale.

"We didn't play particularly well and if I'm honest they were all over us in the second half.

"Finishing fifth in the league and winning the Vase has raised the bar again.

"We're aim to push higher up the league next season.