Close contest at Linley

Congleton travelled the short distance to Linley for this league game with the thoughts of last season’s two major defeats hanging over them, but the skill, attitude and confidence of this team were to prove how far Congleton have come in only a few months
Captain Davies made sure everyone was in the right frame of mind for this fixture and Congleton were down on the pitch early, changed and ready to go.
Congleton kicked off and took the game to Linley from the off. The first ten minutes were frantic with both sides making mistakes, but Congleton settled quicker and began putting phases together. Scrum half Manning was all over his opposite number at the back of the scrum and Ridgway was keen to run at the back line to expose any weakness.
Hooker Somerfield has improved his throwing in over the summer, and although the two-ball was difficult, Congleton were winning the four ball contest with May jumping well.
Linley have developed into a strong forwards orientated team who dominate the opposition, but not today! Congleton’s forwards hit rucks and mauls at speed, providing quick ball for the “road-Runners” in the backs. Linley expected to dominate the scrums, and whilst they did put pressure on Congleton, Wood at number eight did extremely well under pressure to provide Manning with clean ball.
It was through Congleton pressure after 10 minutes that Linley went offside at the breakdown and “ice-man” Podmore stepped up to slot the penalty for a 3 – 0 lead.
From the restart Linley piled on the pressure and Congleton soaked it up but missed tackles around the fringes of a ruck allowed Linley to touch down near the posts for a converted try, to put the score to 7 – 3 Linley.
The referee awarded a yellow card to prop Coombes and awarded a penalty to Linley from the re-start. Whiteley stepped into the breach at loose head and rekindled his love affair with the front row. The referee was determined to stamp his authority not only on the players but on the substitutes and spectators alike with some officious and often bewildering decisions, frustrating both teams, who were trying to play rugby.
After the 10 minute sin-binning Coombes was substituted for Kirkham, who was determined to get on and involved in the fray. Kirkham got himself stuck in and was soon carrying the ball into Linley’s defence with aggression and strength.
The backs looked dangerous with Wilcox, Podmore and Williams threatening to break through on more than one occasion. On 30 minutes Linley were under pressure from a kick and chase by Congleton’s quick back line and desperately held on to the ball giving away a penalty in front of the posts. Podmore again stepped up and drilled the ball over the bar to bring the score back to 7 – 6 to Linley.
Congleton kept up the pressure until half time, with full back Williams looking sharp and confident under the high ball, and gave Linley limited options when they kicked.
Half time score: Linley 7 Congleton 6
In the start of the second half Congleton upped the pace and Linlys big forwards were starting to wilt in the heat. On 50 minutes Congleton won their line out on the right side of Linley’s 22 metre line, May offloaded to Manning who fed Ridgway who attacked the line with Davies in support. From the ruck, Congleton’s back row provided quick ball for Manning to again feed the backs, Williams entered the line and streaked over to score. Podmore again stroked the ball between the uprights to give Congleton the lead 13 – 7.
Linley again piled on the pressure and with a fresh pair of legs in the backs, stretched Congleton’s defence who missed tackles to allow an unconverted try to bring Linley within 1 point at 13 – 12.
Congleton substituted the injured Wilding, who had hurt his shoulder trying to tackle the whole Linley pack at various stages throughout the game, bringing on the ever youthful John Woodman, who had been warming up for a full 15 minutes.
Congleton were then penalised by the referee when Ridgway was adjudged to have obstructed a quick penalty and was yellow carded, leaving them with fourteen players for the remainder of the game.
This gave Linley hope, and with all the Congleton travelling supporters holding their breath Linley ran through the gap left by Ridgway to score an unconverted try.
With the score finely balanced at 13 – 17 to Linley, Congleton tried desperately to force their way up-field but were unsuccessful at a line out, which was their last chance and Linley cleared their lines to allow the referee to blow for full time, much to the relief of Linley with the final score remaining Linley 17 Congleton 13.
Both teams agreed it had been a great match and one which Congleton could have won. Although the away side were disappointed, Coach Cardall was happy with the performance and is looking forward to the games to come. Things are starting to fall into place for the young Congleton side, although tackling practice will be given priority at training, emphasis will be on the open running style and quick ball from the forwards.
Many Congleton players stood out during the match, but Williams, Manning, Whitely and Wood were on top form. This however was a team performance that all players should be proud of.

Team:
1. A. Watt
2. M. Sommerfield
3. D. Coombes
4. S. Handley
5. S. Wilding
6. C. May
7. G. Whitely
8. G. Wood
9. M. Manning
10. K. Ridgway
11. M. Berrisford
12. C. Davies (c)
13. J. Wilcox
14. D. Podmore
15. E. Williams
Reserves:
S. Carter
R. Kirkham
J. Woodman