Congleton 3rd 0 Knutsford 52

KNUTSFORD were as happy to keep out Congleton as they were with their points tally at the other end of the field on Saturday afternoon.

A sixth win from seven matches this season sends them to the North West Intermediate League Division Five South summit.

Lowly Linley thirds are their guests this weekend, when Blues will hope to establish a gap to second-placed Lymm fourths.

Alex Malcolm broke the deadlock in their latest success, chasing a kick before touching down.

A second try followed when Jon Fuller finished a flowing move orchestrated by Sam Cook.

Giles Robertson marshalled Knutsford at the lineout, leaving new scrum-half Will Duce to keep supplying Cook with possession as Knutsford led 31-0 by the break.

Fuller, standing in for skipper Sam Bensky, challenged his teammates to shut out the hosts in the second period.

Malcolm went on to compete a personal treble, while Fuller added another to his tally.

Wing Matt Hunter was unlucky not to add his name to the scoresheet when the ball slipped from his cold hands.

Congleton attempted to impose themselves physically, but newcomer Jan Minarcik was resilient in the contact areas and Sam Hudson worked tirelessly off the ball.

Fuller said: “It was a solid win, and we achieved the target I set at half time.

“Our travelling support played a big part, urging tired bodies to continue battling on.”

Linley’s thirds, bottom of the table with a single victory, are due at Knutsford Academy on Saturday, kick off 2.15pm.

Blues’ players gather for training tomorrow, Thursday, at New Barn on Chelford Road, from 7.30pm.