Congleton receive the kick off and immediately showed their nerves and allowing the ball to bounce. Those nerves were soon settled when young hooker Hodson plucked the bobbling ball out of and charged headlong into the fray scattering Bowdon players like a bowling ball through skittles. With this Congleton settled, the powerful forwards running hard with good support play and the backs showing their flair and pace, Bowdon too had bloon out the cobwebs and their scramble defense was superb.

Scrum, Congleton knock on. The turning of the tide. Congleton pack down and under the encouraging shouts from the captain the pack drive forward, the front row of Noone, Hodson and Hodson powering forward and taking the ball against the head, the backs were quickly released before Bowdon can reorganize the ball has been flung wide, Jarvis breaks the first tackle and offloads to Jones for the second who dots down the ball in the corner. Difficult conversion missed Congleton 5 Bowdon 0.

From the restart Bowden win the ball back and come at Congleton with all their might. But the red defensive wall holds firm. Tackle after tackle is made and Bowden can’t make it through the line. Congleton making huge dominant tackles until the inevitable ball spill and another scrum. Superb scrum again and Whittaker picks up and scatters the opposition like a wrecking ball until he is dragged down Hodson flings the ball quickly to fly half Milne who see space and kicks in behind, winger Reed steps up to the plate, outpacing both squads to control a difficult bouncing ball and score a wondrous try in the corner, another missed conversion.

Half time Congleton 10 – Bowdon 0

Second half kicks off and Congleton are dominating a superb kick from Milne allows Congleton to retrieve the ball, successive forwards phases flow together and a Bowdon get sucked in the ball is flung wide to inside centre Dolman-Bailey who scythes through the defense to offload a beautiful ball to Ridgeway, he steps two and flicks the ball to Jarvis, he beats the winger and the fullback to score under the posts. Hodson kicks the conversion Congleton 17 Bowdon 0

Bowdon get a second wind, Congleton are complacent, tired and Bowdon win back their kick off. Tired Congleton give away two penalties and find themselves defending hard from an onslaught in their own 22. Bowdon persisted and with their tails up continue hammering into a shell-shocked Congleton until the inevitable. Bowdon string together some silky backs play off the tough forwards and score in the corner. Conversion missed Congleton 17 Bowdon 5

Congeton still a little dazed once again are hammered away at by a confident Bowdon the forwards fighting valiantly with Noon, Cliff, Dalton, Hunter and Hodsons throwing in enormous hits, the backs scramble defense is a glory to behold but not enough Bowdon with their tails up score another well worked try in the corner. Conversion missed Congleton 17 Bowdon 10

A team talk under the posts and some encouragement gets Congleton fired up to win this important match. Milne sends a high kick off to the Bowdon captain who is hit high and low by Dalton and Davenport respectively, Congletons defense has gone up a few notches, tackles are hard Bowdon spill the ball Ridgeway thinks quick and beats 2 defenders and offloads to outstanding fullback Evans who makes ground and breaks a tackle, its quickly recycled by Hodon and flung to Milne who dances his way past his opposite number and rockets off to score in the corner. Conversion missed Congleton 22 – Bowdon 10

Both teams are tiring but Congleton have the fitness and have a second wind. Forwards are working hard in pods smashing over the gain line Bowdon are on the back foot, captain davenport sees a chink in the Bowdon armor and makes a dash two tackles slide off him leaving him to score under the posts. Hodson converts. Congleton 29 – Bowdon 10

The end is nigh, Congleton want more, Bowdon are struggling with fluidity with which Congleton are playing 5 minutes left, they kick off to Wilson who takes the ball brilliantly he charges at Bowdon handing off and pirouetting through three then he offloads to Hunter who charges through another and offloads to speedster Jarvis to score the final try in the corner. Conversion missed

Congleton 34 – Bowdon 10

The final kick off, last play Bowdon pull out all the stops they hammer away at Congleton's defense but only gain inches, they grow into feet, then yards. Congleton give away a penalty, Bowdon wan the last say and kick for touch. They take the ball and the big no 8 charges down the Blind side to be met with a gargantuan hit from Dalton putting him into touch.

Full time Congleton 34 – Bowdon 10

Big W for the returning 2nd team...!

Great start to Congleton’s season and more to follow.