Congleton RUFCs 2nd XV League Campaign got off to a surprising start when Whitchurch 4th team advised they could not raise a team to travel for the first fixture gifting Congleton 4 points. Hasty phone calls manages to arrange a friendly match against Linley & Kidsgrove 3rd XV which was probably a better opener for the new players in the Squad. The youth policy that has shown numbers in the Junior section increase to over 200 is now providing players to the senior teams and 8 17 and 18 year old players were included in the squad for the afternoon.

Not surprisingly the experience, and bulk, of the visitors provided the first score as Congleton were finding their feet and getting used to each other. A break through by the Linley forwards contributed to a well worked try close to the posts which was converted giving Linley a 7 point lead after 10 minutes. Congleton then came together but continued to struggle to get out of the defensive position and despite a few breaks could not make use of the small amount of possession they had. Defensively, Brandon Evans was explosive putting anything that came towards and Scott Summerfield controlled things well behind a solid scrummage. Despite best efforts Linley were able to add a similar try to the first after 30 minutes but were kept further out making a more difficult conversion attempt which was missed. Congleton continued to improve with driving runs from Andy Dolman-Bayley supported by Elliot Burton and Jamie Boddice. The Front row of Danny Coombes, Mike Summerfield and John Goodwin were solid and Duncan Beck and Kirk Hooker provided the powerhouse 2nd row and experience to start piling on the pressure to the Linley Pack.

Some changes at this point saw 17 year old Ryan Parrish move into the back row with Kenny Prowse coming into the front row at the tender age of 64. Parrish proved to be another explosive tackler and was clearly trying to cement his selection in future weeks, in this he was definitely successful.

With the half time score at 12-0 in Linley's favour a number of changes were made to the line up. Paddy, who had played well at fly-half moved to full back replacing Kenton Hackney and the Somers Trio of dad Mike and sons Ben and Ross took to the field. Andy McGill came onto the wing for Dan Hobson and Andy Willis came on at Flyhalf.

These tactical changes proved to be the catalyst for attacking play from Congleton, The experience of the elder Somers and Willis supported Ross Somers at Scrum Half and organised the young backs into an attacking force. Congleton started pressing into attacking positions and 10 minutes into the half Ben Somers returning after a year of injuries forged across the line for a try under the posts. This was cleanly converted by younger brother Ross. Unfortunately, the excitement of this change in play proved too much for Congleton and from the restart Linley managed to regain possession and score another unconverted try within minutes bringing the score to 17-7 in the visitor's favour. This woke the team up again and Congleton reformed to press against the Linley defence continuously. The final quarter of the match proved to belong to Congleton as the youth in the team was able to tire the older Linley players and Willis showed his class as he stepped through the defence to score under the posts and then converted his own try bringing Congleton within reach of a victory. Soon after this following driving runs from Beck and Dolman-Bayley, Evans managed to collect loose ball and score in the corner taking the home team into the lead for the first time in the match. The much reduced form of Dolman-Bayley continued to run at the defence and was finally rewarded with a try. The conversion was added by Scott Summerfield who had returned to the field for an injured Ross Somers. Ben Somers, following a rest from his earlier exertions, returned to the match and quickly scored a try with could have been an action replay of his first. In the final minute of the game, Dolman-Bayley drove through the defensive for his second score again converted by Scott Summerfield. This left Congleton with a winning score of 38-17 at the final whistle.

Much praise must go to the younger players, many of whom were featuring in their first Senior Rugby match. The whole game was played in good spirits between the local rivals and was well refereed. One of the largest crowd of supporters seen on Hankinson's Field for some time were rewarded with an excellent display of Rugby Football which shows that the future for the Club is good.

With a number of players returning from injury in October, Congleton will again be looking to field a 3rd team regularly and anyone interested in joining the Club should contact Rus Williams on 01260 272685 or send a message through the Club's website at www.congletonrufc.co.uk.

The support of Flowcrete, Cheshire Bakeries, and the Wharf continues to keep membership the lowest in the area and our thanks goes to them for their continued sponsorship.