Confidence continues to build

The result suggests a well matched and balanced contest but, whilst it went down to the wire, Congleton had 75% possession and territory. Were it not for Knutsford’s outstanding defence this would have been more like the encounter earlier this season when Congleton posted a cricket score. The Congleton players are raising their game and this victory was less about the performance (although good) and more about learning how to win – and boy did they come through the test.

Congleton smashed into the opposition from the off and were it not for a couple of stray passes, they would have been two or three tries to the good. To Knutsford’s credit, they ensured they came away with points each time they scrambled into Congleton’s half and, following a couple of well struck penalties, managed to squeeze in at the corner for a try to make it 13-0. Despite the deficit, Congleton still felt in control of the game, but their ill-discipline at the break down, combined with tenacious Knutsford defence, made life difficult.

But this is a Congleton team growing in confidence and so, after ironing out the issues at half time, they set about putting Knutsford to the sword. They built pressure from the off and were rewarded for their patient phase play when scrum-half Willis struck close in to a ruck to dive over for their first try. Kanaurous converted. After more pressure Congleton were awarded a penalty and Kanaurous grabbed the 3 points. At 13-10 down with just 9 minutes remaining Congleton received a penalty in front of the posts but with Knutsford being reduced to 14 men for the infringement it meant Congleton could opt for the scrum and a chance for glory. They built the pressure once again with forwards and backs hammering the Knutsford line. Then the crunch time! A 5m scrum with 3 minutes on the clock. They went for the push over try, Knutsford infringed, and Congleton were awarded a penalty try! Boom! From the restart Congleton comfortably maintained their composure, kept the ball through a few phases before skipper Reardon hoofed the ball into the gathering doom to secure the well-deserved victory.

The pack continued their impressive form from last week, keeping possession in contact and taking opportunities to express themselves within the team structure. It was good to see Wood rampaging across the turf once again after a few weeks away and Beck at 8 had a cracker at the rear of a dominant pack. Whilst Manning took the plaudits for his fine aggressive play in the back line, all the backs played their part in getting over the gain line. Dave Lloyd, one of the coaches said afterwards “this feels good and well deserved but there are of course things for this young side to work on: for the forwards it is being more dynamic and creative in the lineout and for the backs a little more clinical in their handling. It’s a big home match next week (2:15pm Hankinsons Field) and all the boys want to go into Christmas 3 from 3. We are really starting to believe in ourselves”.