Cold weather has been a feature throughout this season and, on the last game of the season, it was still chilly and felt like March.
Watching Knutsford warm-up, the onlooking parents thought that they looked a very impressive outfit and the prognosis for the results did not look promising. The CRUFC U9s, pre-occupied with their own pre-match routine, paid no heed to Knutsford until facing them for the first game’s kick-off, when it became clear that looks can be deceiving. This U9 squad has impressed all season with their determination, spiky character and solidarity. Unfazed, they proceeded to match Knutsford in all aspects – tackling, good passing, turn-overs and try scoring. Charlie Abbotts, Thomas Vitta and Robert Holtham were their usual unstinting team players, thwarting Knutsford to gain several turn-overs. However, Knutsford were able to take and maintain a constant gap in the scoreline, as CRUFC were just not as cohesive as unit as their opponents in this first match. Ben Wilcock was a reassuring presence in defence, always able to bring down opponents no matter their size, and equally equipped for offence play, grabbing a try for himself. It was frustrating to watch Knutsford maintain a points difference, as CRUFC were more than capable of matching and even out-scoring Knutsford – it was a case of Knutsford making the most of it when they had possession, using several of their bigger lads as battering rams. As ever, CRUFC refused to give up and continued to push forward, with Knutsford’s defence having to make several try-saving tackles to deny CRUFC. On two occasions, CRUFC managed to breach the Knutsford defence with strong running from Conall Lynch to set up Sam Humphries and Humphries himself using his own strength and speed to get a second try.

Congleton RUFC U9s 4 Knutsford RUFC U9s 4

In the second match, CRUFC now having got the measure of Knutsford, presented their opponents with a wholly different challenge. Elliot Nuttall, Libby Greeney and Luke Shearman were great link-up players, many times picking up the loose ball or making a telling pass. In this match, CRUFC’s tackling was just that bit more eager and their passing just that bit more polished. Add to that, the strong, incisive running from Lynch that put Knutsford on the back foot, Knutsford struggled to stay with CRUFC. The first half ended 1-0 to Congleton, with the first try scored by Abbotts. The second half saw CRUFC continue to impose themselves upon Knutsford, whose passing at times seemed to take precedent to forward movement. Playing such a pleasing passing game offered the chance for more loose balls and turn-overs and CRUFC made sure of their chances. On two occasions, almost carbon copies, Lynch’s strong running and well-timed passes to Humphries gave Humphries the chances to carry the ball, and any clinging Knutsford’s players, over the try-line. However, Knutsford’s passing game paid dividend as they managed to run in 3 tries to keep scores level with CRUFC. Lynch grabbed a try for himself to take CRUFC towards what looked like a well-fought and well-deserved win. Not so. With just about the last play of the match, CRUFC were on the attack, but fumbled a pass. This allowed Knutsford almost an uncontested run up to the wing to level the score at 4-4. Player of the Week: Charlie Abbotts