November 7th 2015

Heaton Moor 0 Congleton 3

Cheshire South

Congleton Tough It Out

This was gripping stuff despite the unusual score line. Congleton, seeking to put into practice some new ideas they’d been working on at training, put HM under pressure from the off. They established attacking threats right across the field as they sought to confuse the defence. Congleton were by far the better side in the first half having most of the possession and territory and when HM managed a single foray into Congleton’s 22 their speedy winger was smashed into touch by Denney.
Tension increased as the second half progressed but further defensive brilliance ensured Heaton Moor’s confidence remained dented. With 11 minutes remaining a massive tackle by Wright on HM’s flyhalf as he cleared his lines was deemed late by the ref and led to a penalty. The punt downfield gave the home side decent field position and a further infringement at a driving maul 10m out gave HM the opportunity they needed to strike. They went for a lineout catch and drive when perhaps they should have gone for 3 points. At the lineout Schule rose like a Bouncing Betty anti-personnel mine to steal the ball and Congleton cleared their lines.
In injury time, with Congleton on the attack again, the home side infringed at a ruck and Kanauros slotted the penalty to snatch victory. In reality, Congleton could have won this game by 20 points had they not made so many unforced errors but what they lacked in accuracy they made up with intensity and commitment. That commitment destroyed most of the home side's attacks before they got going. Congleton's solid defensive wall in the midfield wasn't easy for HM to break down as they found out on several occasions.
As Congleton develop their new patterns they will need to be more precise when getting the ball wide and with Kanauros and Denney they will threaten any defence and that will allow the team to settle into their wider attacking structure. Cresswell made an excellent debut at 12 both as a strong attaking threat and also with his tackling.

Coach Burkard said after the game “In the coming months this team could really start to threaten the higher ranking sides if we cut out the unforced errors, improve individual decision-making and improve the lineout. Our one to one tackling was very good, as was the savvy at the breakdown and our defensive line speed thwarted much of HM’s attacking threats. However the most pleasing aspect for any coach is when the opposition harp on about how they shouldn't have lost to us - we earned this result against a team that last year was opperating 2 levels above us. The HM coaches need learn how to eat humble pie from Greggs...”.

There were many outstanding defensive displays but Man of the Match goes to Lyam Denney for his excellent perfomrnance at 15 which gives the players in front of him confidence. Boom.