February 7th 2015

Congleton 21 Ellesmere Port 29

South Lancashire and Cheshire 3

Congleton Lose Another Arm Wrestle

As the race for promotion enters the final stages this clash was always going to be a battle. Ellesmere Port arrived by coach with plenty of support and wanting revenge for losing at home to Congleton earlier in the season. Congleton were on their heels right from the off as the super-sized EP pack were soon trundling over and through the home side’s defence. Within 20 minutes EP lead two tries to nil.
Realising what was at stake, Congleton rallied to and started to show why they are near the top of the league. Following excellent phase play they won a scrum in EP’s half. Stand-off Kanauros dummied and tricked his way under the posts then, almost straight from the kick off, Congleton exploited the blind side and skipper Broderick linked with Davenport who ran in powerfully from half way.
At half time Congleton looked in control albeit the score was 14-14. EP appeared very tired so Congleton’s plan to move the ball away from their hefty pack was clearly the right option. A big improvement in this game was the lineouts with Holt throwing in and pods balancing simplicity with some creativity. Within 5 minutes of the second half commencing, an off the top lineout ball on half way was thrown wide through the hands for full back Podmore to finish in real style. At 21-14 the home spectators and the team itself must have been thinking the game was there to be taken, but a needless penalty (and a yellow card for Watt) brought EP back to within 4 points.
Defensively Congleton were outstanding at times when their intensity and attitude were right on the money but a drop in concentration left a large blindside undefended and EP exploited it ruthlessly to take them into the lead at 21-24. With 15 minutes to go it should have galvanised the home team as they only needed to score a try to take the win and a bonus point. Instead, the team appeared to argue with each other as frustrations grew (born out of a lack of precision and not being able to hold onto the ball). EP were masterful at maintain possession in the black mud and were helped by loose refereeing at the rucks (not to mention various fists connecting with heads going unpunished) and, as the need to push for victory increased, an EP centre intercepted the ball resulting in a match winning try in the corner.
There is no doubt this result hurt Congleton (not the entire town thankfully…). The players were devastated particularly as they had played superbly either side of half time but it was EPs experience having been at the top end of the league for several seasons that possibly saw them through. They had ground Congleton down and brought them into an arm wrestle. Once the pressure was on, Congleton were unable to respond as well as they had done so well to win at EP earlier in the season.
They will be disappointed they were unable to secure clean ball at the breakdowns and perhaps need to be harder and more accurate. As has been the case all season, when they play their well-practiced pattern they are a level above the opposition but today they either had too many isolated runners, ran too upright or simply didn't get low and strong when clearing out.
This week is a test for Congleton as they need to put right what isn’t working. There are still a handful of good players missing who would make a difference but you can’t drag a disinterested horse to water. It’s a shame as there is a great core of players willing week in week out to take this fantastic club forward.
A spokesperson who has been around the club for many years said “the team has evolved beyond all recognition and it’s great to watch. That said, perhaps our defence was too passive at times and ball presentation and clean outs weren't as aggressive or clinical as we've seen previously. It appeared players wanted to slow the game down whereas top sides want quick ball – particularly when exploiting slower bigger opposition – why didn’t you hit wider and play faster?”