Knutsford 67-7 Linley 3rd 7

KNUTSFORD strengthened their hold on first place in the table after another convincing victory on home turf at the weekend.

Blues have now won five successive matches in the North West Intermediate League’s Division Five South, leaving them four points clear of second-placed Lymm’s fourths.

The hosts, depleted by injury and late cry-offs, seized the initiative from the moment Giles Robertson bounded to the try-line in the contest’s early stages.

They wasted opportunities to add to their lead, and Linley’s thirds frustrated them further at the breakdown to prevent Knutsford from using their speedy wingers.

Three further tries, all converted, left them 28-0 up at the interval.

Club stalwart Chris Edmonds was the first to cross the whitewash after half-time, followed by Sam Cook and Dave Owen.

Alex Davies and Alex Malcolm, sharing kicking duties, were successful in most of their conversion attempts.

Linley notched a try their resilience deserved in the closing stages, only for Knutsford to have the final say when Edmonds completed a personal treble late on.

Howard Dunkerley was picked as Blues’ man of the match.

They are scheduled to play again on Saturday week, December 17, when Acton Nomads visit Knutsford Academy, kick off 2.15pm.

Before that, training continues every Thursday, from 7.30pm, at the New Barn on Chelford Road.