SANDBACH RUFC set up a possible top five finish with a 41-7 rout at rock-bottom Southport.

The Bradwall Road boys bounced back from that controversial 24-22 defeat at Warrington with a thumping result against the relegated hosts, last Saturday.

As the scoreline suggests, it was virtually one-way traffic with Sandbach clinical enough despite some passages of poor play.

Andy Rollings grabbed a hat-trick of tries with Ross Stint and Dan Massey also scoring.

"It was an easy win for us to be honest," explained skipper Ray Jones.

"We didn't play too well at times but we didn't slip up."

Now Sandbach can put the icing on a fine first season of SLC Division One action.

Champions Rochdale arrive on Saturday week with the home side intent on snatching fifth spot.

Wirral remain favourites although they face Wigan who need a win to stay up while Hoylake and Vagabonds could also nick it.

"They're top of the league and it will be a good measure of how far we've come," continued Jones.

"We weren't too good after our start so we'll see.

"Fifth's an incentive, it's our last game and it's at home so we want to do well."