September 26th 2015

Congleton 1st XV: 15 v Moore: 14

League leaders struggle in the Bearpit

• Dict Def: The primary meaning of the bear spirit is strength and confidence, standing against adversity; taking action and leadership.

Five minutes to go and Congleton are faced with a dilemma; six points down they are awarded a penalty, do they kick for goal and reduce the arrears or take the lineout and press for the winning try and conversion? A question to be asked more significantly later in the day. The Bears chose the lineout, won it and the pressure started to tell on Moore, whose full name is the rather eloquently Victorian Gentlemen of Moore.
Earlier in the match it had seemed so much easier as Congleton pressed from the first kick off, eager to wipe the memories of last week’s limp offering at Trentham. Focus from the outset was on rugby basics; pass with accuracy, tackle with intensity and energy, support each other. Moore, league leaders at this early stage with two large victories and one loss so far, came to town expecting to add to their wins against a team effectively promoted two leagues up in Cheshire’s summer reorganisation of league rugby.
Most of the early play was in Moore’s half of the pitch and Congleton took an early three point lead as Somers kicked a penalty, having missed an earlier sighting kick. The Congleton forwards were starting to exert an authority they would not relinquish all match and their intensity at the breakdown shocked Moore and more penalties were coughed up. Unfortunately none were easy kicks and no more points were added but the pressure was starting to tell.

Congleton camped on Moore’s 22 metre line and various thrusts were repelled by Moore’s well organised defence, but vital ground was gained until Woods was able to pick and accelerate, the defence unable to hold him out from such close range. It was a superb score from fierce forward play and although unconverted gave the Bears an eight point lead.

Moore are not league leaders for nothing though and a reaction was guaranteed as the balance of play now reverted to Congleton’s half of the field. The play became very lateral as Moore sought gaps in the defence and eventually created one, allowing their No 8 to scrabble over and score with a difficult conversion kick added. Half time and the Bears had a one point lead; a sign of things to come.

Half time: Congleton 8 Moore 7

The match was now finely balanced and Congleton, regalvanised after sucking on an orange kindly provided by Mrs E Wood, sought to build on their lead knowing any reduction in energy levels would have horrible consequences. At one point it was feared the doctors would be required as Simm took a nasty blow, but typical of the bear spirit he was soon up on his feet shrugging off attempted administrations of soothing cold water.
Moore’s skill levels were starting to move Congleton around the field more than they would like and the defence was becoming more disorganised as their opponents monopolised the ball. A second hole was found and in a flash Moore were leading by six points with a converted try. With twenty minutes or so to go there was plenty of time to come back but did Congleton have the skills and energy? Summerfield and Podmore created the space on a couple of occasions to reduce the arrears but were not able to finish the moves off.
Davenport came on to give added impetus to the forwards, replacing Beck who was flagging a little on his first full game back after injury. He would return to have a major influence on the final result. Moore, knowing their lead was flimsy were still pushing hard themselves, even resorting to an attempted drop goal, to much shaking of heads on the sidelines from rugby purists. It was in vain though and coming into the final minutes it was only one side pushing to win, literally as the Congleton pack were totally dominant, pushing Moore’s forwards at will both in the scrum and breakdowns. So much so that the referee seemed bamboozled at times allowing Moore a license to roam not often seen.
From the penalty lineout the Bear’s rolling maul was repelled with an unusual techniquie but the attack was reset and now Congleton stretched the opposing defence as the ball was whipped out to the left. Beck, now returned, put in one of the many powerful thrusts that would win him the man of the match award, but Moore held strong and now the ball went right and Congleton had a four man overlap to trot in and score.
Keenan decided however that that was too easy and took it on himself to thunder through under the posts, along with a contingent of the Moore defence. After a considerable pause to confirm the grounding of the ball, the try was awarded, leaving Somers a simple conversion to win the game. Well, simple if had not known that missing it would lose the game. Over it went, final whistle, game won for Congleton and the bear was again seen dancing in the streets of Congleton.

Spoken to after the match the club President said “What a performance of skill and above all character. Moore came to Congleton expecting to romp home but went home defeated by the better side on the day. Huge credit to all the players and coaches.”