6th December 2014

Congleton 31 Oldershaw 8

South Lancashire and Cheshire 3

DEFENSIVE STRENGTH PROVIDES FOUNDATION FOR QUALITY PEROFRMANCE

Following their convincing win away at Liverpool University last week, Congleton were expecting a tougher encounter against an Oldershaw outfit who beat Congleton on Hankinsons this time last year. It was certainly tough in the first 20 minutes as the visitors battered the Congleton line and spectators feared it would be a long afternoon. But Congleton held out and then a moment of brilliance from full back Williams stuck the first nail in Oldershaw’s coffin. Having caught the ball deep in his 22, he stepped the chasers and shot down the wing before linking inside with his support. The ball went through several hands – both backs and forwards – until it reached second row Schule wide on the other side of the pitch who merrily skipped away from the covering full back to open the scoring.
Their second try was very different but also high quality with Davenport finishing a blind side break after Congleton had stolen an Oldershaw scrum deep in their half. The interplay and off loads between the back row and wing and skipper Broderick was outstanding. Even though they were two tries to the good, Congleton were in a tough battle with a team of strong runners which wasn’t helped by their inconsistent lineouts. They have been working out a number of new tactics and calls so one could forgive them for this as long as it pays dividends further into the season.
The third try just before the break was a peach. From a clean lineout the backs executed a pre-planned move which had dummy runners, cheeky lines and quality handling. Fly half Tommy Kanauros was the architect as his fake switch with King, combined with Williams thrusting from wide down the central channel, allowed 13 Joe Kanauros to take the superbly passed ball on an outward ark and dance round the stretched defender. Beresford, who’d tracked play from the other side of the pitch, was on hand to finish off what was a fabulous try. With J Kanauros’ two conversions it was 19-0 at the break.
It was a fairly comfortable second half. Congleton’s try line was barely threatened due to the decent defensive structure and outstanding attitude and discipline from the players. Their fourth try came from some quick thinking with T Kanauros taking a tap penalty 10m out to feed Wood to crash over. However, a momentary lapse in concentration at a penalty allowed Oldershaw to ship the ball straight to the winger who exploited a gaping hole out wide.
But it was Congleton who had the last comment. The forwards once again smashed over the gain line and recycled far quicker than in recent weeks and this in itself was enough for the backs to use out wide – the recipient being Williams which secured an excellent victory. Man of the match went to Partridge for his excellent ball carrying and 6 ball steals.
Coach Burkard said afterwards “this was far from perfect although more rewarding than last week’s demolition in Liverpool. We still need to do the basics better, particularly lowering our body height as we hit rucks plus of course our lineouts continue to be work in progress. With our outstanding pack breaking the gain line and their ability to suck in defenders, we really should have bagged more points this afternoon had the decision making been better, that said, this aspect is improving game by game which will pay dividends in the second half of the season”.
Burkard continued “we set out to be top four come Christmas which we will do – we’ll then review our team goals. We are taking a strong squad to league leaders Ramsey next week but whatever happens we will go in to the Christmas break very happy".