11th April 2015

Oldershaw 13 Congleton 24

South Lancashire and Cheshire 3

Intensity Secures 5th Straight Win For Bears

This was an almost identical performance to the home match earlier in the season when Congleton comfortably despatched the visiting side. Despite a strong wind the sunshine and firm pitch made for a decent game of running rugby.
Congleton started this match with real precision and a commitment to put their attack and defensive patterns into play. They were soon rewarded with a try by second row Schule in an identical way he scored in their first encounter – by loitering out wide and waiting for the ball to come back his way before galloping away. The second came just 3 minutes later with the most excellent Davenport, playing at 8 in the absence of Wood, picking up from the base to force his way over the line.
This first period was glorious, not just because the team were playing inspirational attacking rugby but because defensively they harried, pressurised and smashed Oldershaw’s runners around the fringes and out wide. From the restart and for the next 30 minutes or so, Congleton appeared to switch off and Oldershaw took full advantage. Suddenly the home side sneaked a couple of tries and a penalty to go 13-12 up but to those that were watching – and that included legendary Congleton flyhalf Mark WInship – Congleton were the better team and would surely prevail…..
The players reminded each other of their disappointment in the fixture against Liverpool Uni when they won but failed to get the bonus point but this week they responded with real enthusiasm and further tries by Davenport and Kanauros sealed the deal.
This win was underpinned by Congleton’s ability to snuff out opposition’s attack. Their communication, defensive structure and capacity for tuning over the ball ensure they got plenty of opportunity to attack. It was pointed out that, in this afternoon’s Manchester Derby, the moment at which United sorted themselves out and played to their structure was the point at which they dismantled City. This is how Congleton have been all season. Whenever they play to their well-rehearsed attacking patterns they blow even the best opposition away. When they do that for more than the 20-25 minutes they currently do, they will be difficult to compete with.
The league doesn’t lie. The team have already achieved their goal to finish in the top four but going into the final match at home next week to Oxton Parkonians, they have an outside chance of achieving the runners up spot and, like their second XV teammates, gaining promotion.
Coach Burkard said after the game “that was more like it. Our offloading game was very good and, while many of the players had impressive matches, I was particularly struck by second row Beck’s intensity for the entire match. He combined his powerful destruction of the opposition with deft handling and some fine support play”.