Match Report

Ellesmere Port 20 Congleton 21

Cheshire and South Lancs 3

BERESFORD DOWSES FIRE FROM ELLESMERE PORT OILERS

With a much changed side from the one that narrowly missed victory last week, the boys from Congleton thought their way to a stunning last gasp victory at a place they had been heavily stiffed in previous seasons. This time is was all about self-belief. The ability was there and the mindset was there and that was all that was required to out manoeuvre and out think the sizeable Ellesmere Port team.
After an iffy start and having shipped 8 points in the first 5 minutes, the away side finally got their hands on the ball. Some smart tactics to use the wind by Willis playing at 10 allowed Congleton to pin EP deep in their half. Quick interplay by the backs in difficult conditions allowed top boy Jim Lloyd the chance to show his X Factor talent as he broke tackles and wiggled his way through the scrambling defence to score. He baffled the defence again almost immediately when scooping up a loose pass and threading his way past the flailing defenders for his second. With Kanauros’ kicking boots on Congleton were in control at 14-8 at the break.
The home side, it seemed, were crushed mentally but with the strong wind behind them in the second half and one or two of their quality players beginning to tick. They had one tactic. They pummelled the Congleton defence through their engorged pack and eventually piled over for a couple of tries to take them 20-14 with just 10 minutes remaining.
The strong wind would normally make kicking out of defence worthless but with the Eiffel Tower that is Scott Carter on full power, Congleton were able to secure their own ball and usually disrupt the opposition enough to stifle any attack. This is in stark contrast to last year when there was little shape to Congleton’s defence at restarts and so praise must go to the players who have worked hard on developing their defensive calls and structure.
In the scrum, Jordan Kelly was hard done by as the referee requested he be moved from the loose head position – and this was mid-way through the first half. Most onlookers felt the fault lay with the EP prop who constantly bored in and drove up but away with it. Kelly is no doubt one player Congleton will continue to develop for the future as his work rate and all round technical skills are of the highest quality. With the experience of Reardon, Watt and Schule along with Carter and prop sub Sven Hassel, the tight forwards have a steely look about them. They may not be the biggest or even the fastest but they are more intense, more alert and more skilful than most of the players they play against. Combine that with a feisty back row combo from Whiteley, Bainbridge, Davenport and Holbrook (and this week missing the excellent Wood) you can see why most of the opposition find it difficult to gain any rhythm as these boys are in yer face in a flash.
But, do you know what? It was Congleton’s completely revamped backline that was required to win this match. Having line breakers and pace always gave the away side the confidence they could strike from anywhere and they did just that to win the match. After some excellent forward driving play on the right the ball was shifted to Kanauros at centre whose masterful step had the defender flailing wildly at his head. Burkard, on for the snappy Mike Manning, took a quick tap to Willis who fed Beresford via the boy Lloyd. Beresford, like all great dancers, knew his footwork, balance and raw power would give him the upper hand and wow did he make the most of it. He shimmied, skipped, pirouetted and powered his way to the line making sure he got as close to the posts as possible. Kanauros converted. 20-21 with 4 minutes to go. Awesome. Unlike last week when Congleton could not hold on, this time they cut down any further attempt Ellesmere Port had to get over the gain line. In yer face rugby. Close down their time and space and force errors. This is what Congleton had focused on in training and the tactic paid off. Boom. Win.
This team continues to evolve under the captaincy of Broderick. Add to the mix new players making their marks – this week like like wingers Elliot Hartles and Tom Winship both with power and nous for space. Whiteley is menacing at 7 and Davenport, playing out of position has had two storming matches at 8. There are also several players in the second team knocking on the door which is showing more strength in depth than at anytime in the past 15 years.
This game was about passion, desire and self-belief – it was not about panache and style. But who cares? On a windy day playing away from home against a team who thrive on size, power and strength, Congleton were simply better. That said they will need to get back to their offload game if they are to take sides to the cleaners. This has been missing in the past two game primarily because of the size of the opposition. But Congleton have now shown they can switch styles: in games against large packs last season, they found themselves in an arm wrestle rather than using their heads and moving the ball away but now that is something they simply work out as the game evolves. Long may it continue. Their patterns and structure simply gives them confidence they can play whatever way they need to play.
Beresford was a deserved Man of the Match – he has been excellent all season with his powerful running lines and ability to sniff out space. Team mates can’t wait to give him the ball. With Kanauros returning to fitness and the speed & clinical distribution of Willis at 9 or 10, there are going to be plenty of opportunities for them and other strike runners. The set pieces are developing week by week and with a few more options on attacking lineouts those backs will have more time and space than Dr Who taking a holiday. As coach Somers said after the game “Who’d want to be in Helsby’s boots on Saturday………..”