November 29th 2014

Liverpool University RUFC 14 Congleton RUFC 59
South Lancashire and Cheshire 3
ANTICIPATED ATTACK ANGERS ALLIES OF ALLITERATION

Fact: the students of Liverpool University were blown away by Congleton. Their commitment and power brought misery to the home team and allowed Congleton to put their recent home defeat to Linley to bed. This was definitely one of the best performances of the season so far and showed that when they execute their sound attacking structure and game plan they are very good indeed.
You can’t argue with nine tries. Wood bagged a hatrick, Tom Kanauros went over for a brace with one apiece for Davenport, Beck, Williams and a penalty try from a 5m scrum. The humiliation started up front with the students being squeezed to a pulp in the tight confrontations. At scrum time, Congleton stole almost every LU put in and so gave the formidable Wood and the half backs a stonkin’ attacking platform which they exploited with panache. When the students did get the ball, Congleton’s defence remained solid with their in to out drift operating slickly. This was epitomised 10 minutes from the end of play when LU moved the ball wide quickly only to be met by a sliding brick wall. The attack panicked and threw a poor pass and Ed Williams snaffled it to run 60 metres for his well-earned 5 pointer.
The spectators from the University were impressed by the quality of their opponents attack and defence and, considering Liverpool won this fixture last season, they were stunned by what they experienced. It wasn’t a perfect performance by any means for The Bears. With the score at 40-7 at half time the final statistic should have shown over 80 points but didn’t as several golden opportunities went begging including a number of overlaps, a failed push over try and, on one occasion, the ball jumping free in the throes of scoring. Congleton will also be annoyed that they let Liverpool in for two tries. Can’t really complain though……
The backs were full of admiration for the forwards as their efforts sucked in defenders time after time so that the talented runners could devour the space and exploit mismatches that occurred. Every player did very well all afternoon but man of the match went to Tom Beck for the intensity and focus he brought to the party not to mention his new found fitness. He has worked hard in training to get back in the squad and he epitomised all that was good during the match.
When coach Burkard was asked for his post-match analysis he was, as one would expect, full of admiration for the players “for me, the most pleasing aspects were their decision making – particularly about where to attack – and the level of intensity they brought during the first 65 minutes. We are back to third in the league which is a testament to the players’ dedication for their craft.”