HARD working Old Halesonians pulled out all the stops to produce an excellent 27-24 success over Sandbach and boost their prospects of promotion this term from National League 3 Midlands, writes Nick Pullen.

Sandbach arrived at Wassell Grove sporting a 100 per cent record having won all four of their games to date, fresh off the back of a slender victory over much fancied Nuneaton.

But Halesonians hit the ground running, roared on by a bumper crowd, many of whom had earlier attended the annual HOGS lunch.

Full back Chris Hooper kicked into the corner which enabled Halesonians to steal Sandbach's line-out ball and drive over the line, second run Loz Breeze credited with the vital touch, while Hooper kicked the conversion.

Moments later Halesonians stretched the lead to 10-0 when Hooper slotted over a drop goal.

Sandbach were quick to respond and by the 12th minute had cut the deficit, Marcus Broad highlighting the Cheshire side's pace in the backs before scrum half Nick Allsop secured the try.

Halesonians were soon back in the driving seat.

A quick tap penalty caught Sandbach napping and the ball was flung along the line before Breeze appeared to crash over in the corner for his second try, Hooper supplying a splendid touchline conversion to make the score 17-5.

Sandbach struck back just before half time with their second row Will Stockdale stampeding over for a try following a five metre scrum.

Full back Ben Elliot kicked the extras to make the half time score 17-12.

The second half started in different fashion.

Halesonians quickly lost second row Guy Field to a yellow card and Sandbach were quick to take advantage.

The home crowd were less than impressed when Sandbach tight head prop Gaz Caen was allowed to brush past several half hearted tackles to level the score before Elliot's conversion put them 19-17 in front.

Hooper clawed the lead back with another well struck penalty - but it seemed Sandbach were getting on top when Elliot went over on the overlap to score.

Trailing 24-20 and with time running out, Halesonians launched a driving maul which was rumbling towards Sandbach's line when it was illegally brought down.

Loose head prop Tim Oakes was deemed guilty by lady referee Nikki O'Donnell and sent to the sin-bin.

So it was no surprise when Halesonians quickly set another rolling maul in motion from the resulting penalty and this time, there was no stopping it. Replacement Nigel Burrows bagged the all-important touchdown as the maul rumbled over the line with just three minutes remaining.

Hooper completed a sound performance by slotting over the conversion and this time Sandbach were unable to respond.

The result registers Halesonians fourth win from six games and takes them above Sandbach into third place behind Nuneaton and leaders South Leicester.