Captain Henshall leads way as Sandal end season with a flourish

The nine-try display saw the men from Milnthorpe Green finish their ultimately encouraging campaign in seventh place, writes Howard Newton.

Driffield, who have finished sixth, were a poorer side than expected, yet managed to score four tries to earn a bonus point. This was thanks to Sandal offering two giveaway tries with attempts to unnecessarily offload in the tackle leading to unopposed scores under the posts.

Some of the attacking play was excellent, however, and playing with the slope in the first half it only took Sandal two minutes to register their first try.

A kick ahead by Driffield was countered by Tom Hodson with a kick down field and from the ensuing breakdown the ball was spun out to Mac Walsh who crashed through several would-be tacklers for the opening try which was converted by Hodson.

Three minutes later George Jones forced his way over to score his season’s maiden try and with Hodson converting again the home side’s lead had moved to 14-0.

It was apparent that Sandal were far too strong for their opponents with two unconverted tries being quickly scored, first by Henshall with a pushover then by Oliver Farrar who got his first of the season after backing up a 50-metre break by Declan Thompson following an interception.

The scoring calmed for a spell before Henshall broke free for his second try. With Hodson goaling Sandal had an unassailable 31-0 lead.

As half-time approached the visitors progressed slowly into home territory and scored after their wing forward took a tap penalty and touched down in the corner. The touchline conversion made it 31-7 at the break.

Sandal started the second half well with Henshall proving too strong for Driffield’s defence to complete his hat-trick and Hodson converting.

More pressure saw the visitors’ defence crack again as the ball passed along the back line where it was taken by Archie Milner who dummied before crossing for his side’s seventh try, again converted by Hodson.

Almost immediately Driffield took play into the Sandal half from where an unconverted try was posted.

But then Sandal countered on the hour with another score when from a successful line-out in and after several pick and go exchanges Henshall casually picked up from a tackle and touched down under the posts. Hodson tagged on the extras.

A 13-minute period followed when the hosts lost their authority and as a result of some stupid play gave Driffield the opportunity to score two converted tries and an undeserved bonus point, taking the score to 52-26.

However, Sandal had the final say in the dying minutes when Mihali Joannou put a deft kick ahead into the hands of Farrar who made ground. As he was tackled he handed on to Oliver Wigglesworth who made no mistake in touching down.

It brought an end to Sandal’s season, which must be considered a success with an improved league placing from a year ago together with winning the Yorkshire Cup. The players now have a break for some four months but will regather in August to compete again in the club’s centenary season.