Congleton Vs Helsby October 25th 2014

Congleton 48 Helsby 3

Cheshire and South Lancs 3

CONGLETON HOPPING MAD BUT MAKE HELSBY CROAK

You could smell the excitement in the air as Congleton got their kit on for another rough clash. Excited not just because they would later be roaming the streets all dressed as Kermit the Frogs to celebrate Williams’ imminent marriage, but because they wanted to thrash Helsby. The away side might be languishing in the basement of the league but they always come out fighting - literally.
In preparation for more challenging opposition, and to a few raised eyebrows, the coaching team implemented a completely new playing pattern to integrate forwards and backs across the pitch in open play. While it offers considerable attacking options, it is work in progress and could have easily back fired. The pans could have been perceived as a little amphib-uous, however, the players responded brilliantly and showed it could be a smart option as the team moves forward.
In the first 20 minutes you could see the difference – epitomised by a Tom Kanauros cross kick to prop Reardon who was loitering way out wide on the opposition 22. A great catch, shimmy and offload allowed Winship to hop over for one of his two scores. The wide plan would have worked well for the full 80 if it wasn’t for the meddling referee. He blew his whistle far more than the manufacturer’s recommendation and dished out 6 yellow cards thus ruining what should have been a ribbitting 80 minutes. There can’t be many times when a team is disgruntled at the end having only won by 48 points to 3!
As usual Congleton’s defence was hard core and, for all Helsby’s guts and thunder, they had lil’ opportunity to break the line and never threatened to score a try. Congleton’s speed in jumping off the line meant they smothered the troubled runners and pressurised every receiver who often spilled the ball under pressure. Attacking wise the back row combo taken from Davenport, Whiteley, Bainbridge and Wood were toadally dominant. All fast and all furious in the contact area - they swamped any fringe runners with ease – if only the referee allowed them to compete for the ball! More often than not he favoured the struggling team which meant that Congleton didn’t even bother trying to compete at the breakdown. A real shame. Following Winship’s two tries, Davenport ran a hard line from half way and simply smashed through the defence before having a one on one with the Helsby full back. One winner.
The front 5 of Watt, Holbrook, Reardon, Carter and Smith all went well too. In the scrum, despite being smaller, their technical and tactical dominance was clear to see and Carter was again jumping higher on both attacking and defensive lineouts – often disrupting any Helsby attack at source. Although the young ultra-mobile Smith is certainly one for the future as he develops physically, the entrance of Partridge added weight and power and the stop/start nature of this encounter meant that no one had their engine stretched. Whiteley’s try late in the second period epitomised the scrum dominance. A set call from a midfield scrum saw a Wood pick up at 8 and offload in the tackle to replacement scrum half Burkard. A simple call from the inside to identify a simple 2 on 1 and Whiteley galloped away unopposed under the sticks to spawntaneous applause from the crowd.
Throughout the match the excellent back line did their jobs impressively and tries from Tom and Joe Kanauros and the fit and hungry Williams at 15 highlighted the talent that the club has in their pond. Wood grabbed the final 5 pointer capping off a good solid victory and a spot near the top of the league.
The half back partnership of Willis and Tommy Kanauros did and will continue to add some dazzle to the side and they are appear at ease playing in whatever pattern is necessary. With King at 12 providing physical fire power and, with T Kanauros, excellent distribution, Congleton are finding they can muscle through the inside channels as well as move the ball swiftly when they want to. Outside centre Lloyd couldn’t back up his two tries from last week but he contributed well to the team and looks toadally comfortable in this ever-developing backline.
A senior spokesperson for Congleton said “Love watching this bunch! What is impressive is that the players are thinking in their feet. They spot opposition weaknesses and exploit them which the last two wins has proved. Whatever they were doing early on today looked very good indeed and having some of those quick powerful forwards in wide channels really adds an extra dimension – and frees the backs to have a crack. I’m loving it”.
With over 20 lads training in pitiful conditions last week one can only applaud their dedication. The league will not lie. Congleton will be where they deserve to be.