January 31st 2015

Congleton RUFC 8 Wallasey RUFC 8

Cheshire & South Lancashire 3

Spoils Shared and Congleton Stay in Third

Fair result? Many spectators would say so but Congleton, currently third in the league, know they let this opportunity slip against a Wallasey side intent on holding onto their second place.
Congleton started with real intensity using their rampaging runners to smash holes in the Wallasey D. The power was mixed with some sublime touches from the backline which included a number of neat cross kicks for the talented wide boys.
Congleton deservedly took the lead with a straight forward three pointer and followed that up with a try mid-way through the first half. The forwards and backs peppered the Wallasey line and it was only the away side’s colossal defensive effort which kept Congleton at bay for as long as they did. Eventually King squeezed in near the touchline jumping over the ruck.
Wallasey hit back just before the break, exploiting the challenges their opponents had in the lineout. Congleton found it difficult to break out by kicking to touch so found themselves scrambling in defence to keep Wallasey at bay. After all the hard work it was a lapse in concentration that gifted the away side with 5 points – the defenders stopping after believing the ball had gone into touch – when the winger hacked on and chased well to score.
Wallasey started the second half strongly and soon brought the game back to 8 apiece. Although it is fair to say Wallasey had more possession and overall control in the second period they never really threated the Congleton line – these were two teams with good defensive structures and plenty of grit and passion to keep the enemy at bay. It was Congleton who had the better chances in the final quarter but alas they had to make do with a share of the spoils. In fact it was Congleton’s discipline that helped them immensely particularly as Wallasey had a quality kicker.
Congleton, when they played their patters looked sharp, commanding and powerful but they only did so in patches. The scrum provided their best platform but if they don’t shore up the lineout they are unlikely to make the top two promotion sots. That said there were signs of improvement and no doubt they will work on this in readiness for Ellesmere Port this coming Saturday. The teams were so close in many aspects including the breakdown where both teams demonstrated real commitment to win the ball.
It would be lying to say there were a plethora of chances for both sides as there weren’t. Congleton’s creativity in the backs and their powerful forward runners opened up Wallasey on occasion but defences dominated this game and so tries were hard to come by. Holt on debut at 7 looked promising and Carter when he came on added to the lineout effort. The front 5 had to work very hard and, whilst the midfield should take some plaudits for their attacking and defensive efforts, it was the running of Wood and Partridge particularly that caused Wallasey most problems. If Congleton can improve the lineout and settle into their patterns and demonstrate consistently on Saturday they should be too good for Ellesmere Port. Coach Burkard said after the game “we have just got to improve once again. The ability to play our style across the full 80 minutes is our target as, if we do, there isn’t a team in the league who could beat us”