Congleton V Manchester

After a great win away in Chester the bears were looking to follow it up with a win at home against a strong Manchester side.

The boys were fast out the blocks with two early try’s from Dakin and Lewis. Dakin’s power proving to be too much for the Manchester midfield, whilst Lewis’ great support play, following a fantastic run from skipper Wood, saw the impressive 9 crash over for his first of the season.

Congleton were keen to turn the screw and their set piece dominance showed. A well worked line out from 15m out saw the pack burrow Somers over for their 3rd try of the day, with the away side looking dejected. However, they quickly responded with a well finished try from their winger, leaving the score 21-7 at half time.

The message from coach Pickles to the boys was simple. Follow the structure, remain patient, and the points will come.

The boys started the second half quickly and asserted their set piece dominance at the scrum. The tight five proving too powerful for the visitors, allowing Wood to marshal the ball from the back of the scrum,from 5m out, over the opposition’s try line. The cultured right foot of fly half Kanauros allowed the bears to increase scoreboard pressure and also gain a territorial advantage over the visitors.

Late call up, Kenyon, was also brought into action at the interval and managed to get himself on the end of two wonderful try’s from the hosts. The first came following some patient phase play in the opposition 22, before two brilliant offloads from Wood and Allen saw the replacement back rower dot down in the corner in what will arguably be one of the Bears’ try’s of the season. The second came in a similar fashion, but this time it was the returning Smith who showed the bears what they’ve been missing with a wonderful deft touch to allow Kenyon to burrow over for his second.

The visitors hit back instantly and began to put the hosts under some serious pressure. Tiredness and complacency in defence saw Manchester cut through the bears, who were rightly given a wake up call from coach Pickles.

With the words of their manager ringing in their ears, the bears reverted back to doing what they do best; playing quick structured rugby at a pace opposition teams struggle to live with. This quick phase play was shown for Wright’s try who, following quick ruck ball, received a well weighted pass from scrum half Lewis, before running over his opposite man on the try line. Hooker Oldham also fancied finally getting in on the action who made the most of some loose play from the visitors before embarking on a 15m dash into the posts (the hookers first try in the colours of congy!).

Tiredness started setting in for both sides and the visitors were able to take advantage of this with another well worked try that was finished by their winger. However, Congleton looked to assert their territorial dominance with strong carries from Wright and late arrival, Moose, allowing the Bears to comfortably close out the remaining minutes.

Final score - 51:21

Man of the match - Mark Wright #7

Next week Congleton 1st XV travel to Bowden whilst the 2nd XV have their first home game at the Park 3pm kick off, so please come down and support them it’s set to be another fabulous afternoon of rugby.