September 6th 2014

MATCH REPORT

Oxton Parkonians 5 Congleton 36

Cheshire and South Lancashire Division 3

PACE POWER & PENETRATION PROVES PAINFUL FOR PARKONIANS

Make no mistake, this was a thumping. This was as good a performance by a Congleton team in a very long time and was particularly satisfying given the 8 changes from last week’s triumphant team. For the first 20 minutes the home side hardly touched the ball and everything Congleton did they did with pace, guile and intelligence to go 3 tries up. Boom.
The first try was top drawer. Congleton rampaged up field, passing, offloading and smashing anything that was in their way. Their patterns created an overlap, the ball was swiftly shifted down the back line and debutant wing, Hartles, scooted over majestically in the corner for 5 points. A few minutes later Congleton were again pressurising and badgering the Oxton Parkonians defence which led to scrum half Allen sniping through a little tight hole for another great score.
The fun continued with the back row of Whiteley, Bainbridge and Wood harassing the half backs into mistakes. Inevitably Wood prospered during this period with a powerful score - the opposition simply couldn't contain him let alone tame him.
The front 5 were all full of masculine grit and passion and it was their supreme effort throughout the match that gave fly-half Willis and his backline the space to operate. Oldham, Kelly and Watt in the front row were exceptional in open play as well as in the tight. The second row pairing of powerful Schule and Eiffel Carter looks promising as they not only got through a great deal of work and carried strongly. It’s an exciting pairing - Carter even through a dummy.
Outside the classy half backs, Williams excelled. He managed the power of Wakefield, Hartles and Beresford wisely and it was Williams who created space for Wakefield to use his agility rather than power to skice through the floundering defence for the first try after the break. Oxton Parkonians tried to fight hard to exit their half but any attempt to do so was generally smothered by Congleton’s speed off the line and their ability to disrupt Parkonians' ball at source. Magic.
Broderick, the captain, at full back was as ever clever in his understanding when to attack. Williams scored midway through the half and this was quickly followed by Allen’s second after the back line unusually decided not to use the overlap they’d created but he was at hand to scoop up the loose pass.
This was a passionate, focused and disciplined performance by a young and inexperienced side. They won’t get carried away as there are numerous areas they will know they can improve individually and collectively. Young sides in any team sport can be inconsistent and it will be interesting to see how they react when they get tested against the better sides.
This was a fabulous start to a long season. Man of the Match was a tough choice as there were so many standout performances. It went to Whiteley for his massive intensity in defence and his ability to wind up the opposition. A club official for Oxton Parkonians said after the game “Congleton looked very hungry and seemed to swamp us every time we got the ball, it was very impressive and, to be honest, we never stood a chance”. Rock Hard.