22nd March 2014

Oldershaw 19 Congleton 19

Cheshire & South Lancs 3

Congleton Bring the Action

Another cracking performance by Congleton gave the handful of away supporters a real delight on a windy Wirral afternoon. Oldershaw have only lost one match at home all season and have scored 265 points and only conceded 80 in nine matches but Congleton have proven in recent months they are able to mix it with the best in the league and today they brought the action! From the off the away side threw wave after wave of Congleton beef at the Oldershaw defence, often breaking the gain line before recycling the ball effectively. Strength and power, however, wasn’t exclusive to the forwards as the backs were ferocious in the midfield and made line breaks regularly.
Against the run of play Oldershaw grabbed their first try but it wasn’t long before Congleton hit back. Following a couple of fine breaks they were camped in Oldershaw’s 22m where Wood charged down an attempted clearance kick and to bring the scores level. This was always going to be a tough fixture against one of the league’s leading teams but at half time the players were clearly buoyed by their efforts and agreed to step it up and go for it in the second period. BOOM! Having weathered the first couple of minutes of Oldershaw’s attacking efforts, Congleton worked their way up field to hammer their away team’s line. After a few powerful phases the ball was popped to Kanaurous who was driven over to take the score to 5-12. The loss of Somers soon after with a back injury was a blow which was amplified with Oldershaw bringing on a number of good fresh players. Congleton scrapped and scrambled to keep them out but the fresh legs finally told as Oldershaw exploited Congleton’s tiring bodies to score two very good tries.
But this is a steel-laden Congleton side. They regrouped and set about doing what they have done so well over the past couple of months and that is to utilise their high level of desire, self-belief and ferocity. A beautiful spiralling 50m diagonal kick by Kanaurous gave them field position which began a period powerful attacking phases. Partridge found a second wind to take a short pass close to the line and with support from his team mates was driven powerfully over the line. A successful conversion in a difficult breeze from Kanaurous brought the scores level. Congleton defended valiantly again as Oldershaw were desperate for the home win to keep their title hopes alive but it was Congleton who had the last play with a 45m penalty attempt by Kanaurous which unfortunately fell tantalisingly short.
Make no mistake this was no lucky draw. Congleton have good reasons to set their expectations high and came here to win against one of the top teams in the league. They are by no means the finished article but there is a consistency in performance from each of the players and collective desire to improve. Manning was outstanding in an unfamiliar role as full back as he hit the line with pace and aggression to keep the defence thinking and was Man of the Match. The re-jigged pack was excellent in maintaining their shape in defence close to the breakdown and once we upgrade their fitness over the summer, they can be the best pack in the league – no question. Although there was some strong scrummaging in the first half, they could not maintain it during the second plus the lineouts still need development. The backs showed some wonderful running lines and some clinical counter attacking but – as they did when they played Oldershaw at home – they needed more opportunities to showcase their skills.

The opposition coach pointed out “that was two well matched sides and you made it very difficult for us. Your ability to slow our ball down and prevent us from getting over the gain line was very impressive”. At home to top side Ellesmere Port next week – another great test!