Burnage kick off and Congleton’s first act is one of strength. Kelly catches the high ball after years of absence and shows his pace and power, sprinting headlong into the oncoming pack, scattering them like a meteor. The ruck is cleared and Bergamasco flings the ball to Milne, the Congleton attack continues. The forwards run hard lines, barreling opposition over, looking for a way through. Bergamasco flings the ball out to the backs and Milne unleashes the centres. Beresford and Marquez dazzle the opposition with their footwork and strength, despite this, the defence holds strong. The ball gets wide to Manning, his size deceives as he leaves his opponent face down in his wake, offloading to J.Hodson. He gets past one but is brought down on the opposition 22. No support, turn over. Now it’s the turn of Burnage to test this new Congleton side’s defence. Their forwards ferociously attack, wave after wave, battering a startled Congleton pack. The hits are flying in as every Congleton player puts their body on the line. Congleton hold firm but retreating, 10 minutes of solid tackles and defending pass. Thornecroft cutting down their players like a scythe through grass. Whittaker and Mcnicholas hit like twin hammers on an anvil. N.Hodson following C.Hodson’s lead and hitting rucks like freight trains, desperately looking for the turnover. Finally, Burnage find a gap and score a try, it is converted. Burnage 7 Congleton 0

From the restart Congleton are clearly shell shocked. The ball is missed and bounces, Burnage retrieve it. Once again, Congleton have to front up and take on the onslaught, attack after attack. Defending like men possessed, Congleton fight on. Burnage bide their time; they build on strong phases gaining inch after inch. They release their backs, Bergamasco and Ridgeway flatten the runner but the attack doesn’t halt. Slowly but surely Burnage fight their way closer and closer. Congleton determinedly battle on but a tackle is missed. Burnage score again, it is converted. Burnage 14 Congleton 0.

Congleton are tired, 30 minutes into the game and they have barely had the opportunity to attack. They want to show their flair. A big call from Vos to take the ball at pace from the kick off, he runs in and offloads to Davenport who breaks through one and is tackled. The forwards rally and recycle the ball quickly with Burnage off guard. Milne flings a wide pass to Ridgeway who makes a clean break and is brought down 5 meters from the try line. Bergamasco whips the ball out to Beresford and he charges over to score in the corner. Conversion missed. Burnage 14 Congleton 5

Congleton have the wind in their sails, fresh legs come on in the form of Hunter and Bolton. Once again Congleton receive quick ball, directly in the hands of fresh legged hunter who smashes in for hard yards. Then, with half time looming and Congleton belief growing, their attacking intensity doubles. Burnage are in shock and being battered backwards, a break from Davenport off the scrum with an offload to Begamasco who breaks the line. The ball gets recycled after a quick phase in the middle of the pitch and is flung wide to Bolton, who shows his class and makes it past two for the break. He leaves the fullback in the dirt, to go on and score in the corner. Congleton are right back in it. Conversion missed. Burnage 14 – Congleton 10. Half Time

Back into the fray, Congleton are fired up and charge headlong after the kick off. Burnage have clearly regathered themselves and are fighting back. Congleton front up and start the second half with yet more intense defence. Tideswell leading the forward line making hit after hit, their attempts to go wide defeated by big tackles from Hogg and Manning determined to knock their opponents back. Burnage get a penalty. Congleton are caught napping as the referee allows the penalty to be taken quickly and Burnage run over the whitewash unopposed. Try converted. Burnage 21 – Congleton 10

Congleton incensed by the previous passage of play attack for all their worth. Davenport leads from the front and carries hard into the forward pack, Manning now at nine spots a gap and slips through. He is brought down and offloads to Bergamasco who is back in his natural position. The ball is quickly recycled and flung out to Milne who draws his opponent and puts J.Hodson into a bit of space. The speedster makes his way past the winger and fullback to slide in to the corner. Congleton are back in it again, no conversion. Burnage 21 – Congleton 15.

Congleton kick off and a huge hit from Thornecroft flattens the catcher. C.Hodson is straight over the ball and Congleton get a penalty. J.Hodson kicks a fine touch and puts Congleton back within 10 meters of the Burnage line. C.Hodson and Vos link perfectly to secure good lineout ball and Manning quickly spots a gap. He threads the ball through to Milne who releases Beresford once more, this time demonstrating his power and knocking his opposite man flying to cross the line for a second time. Conversion missed. Burnage 21 – Congleton 20.

Once more kicking off, Burnage secure this time. Congleton can’t get the ball back and the Burnage onslaught keeps coming. The monumental hit from debutant Coker saves Congleton from a swift return try. The slog continues for Congleton. Burnage just keep coming and Congleton just keep tackling but defending is taking its toll. Congleton players are limping to their next impacts and tiring. It has to give. It does. Burnage manage to release their back line, the centre breaks a tackle and passes to the winger for them to score under the posts. Try converted. Burnage 28 – Congleton 20

Burnage kick off to Congleton. It is carried hard by N.Hodson. The attack continues but the defensive work has taken its toll. The ball is knocked on in the contact and Burnage regain possession. Congleton doggedly fight on but the tank is empty. Once more Burnage break through the defence and score under the posts. Conversion missed. Burnage 33 Congleton 20.

Congleton, still giving it their all, receive the kick. Burnage now with their tails up, flood the attacking rucks. Congleton are weary and the inevitable happens, a knock on. Burnage scrum, the 8 picks up and tries to make a break across the openside but is met hard by Davenport and driven back. Congleton’s defence awakens and the battle begins again in earnest. The second wind isn’t enough and Burnage crash up through the centres to release the winger. He breaks a tackle and manages to step the full back and score in the corner. Conversion missed.

Full Time. Burnage 38 – Congleton 20