Knutsford 45-24 Bowdon 3rd

KNUTSFORD battled with changing conditions, not to mention spirited opponents, before registering a second successive win at a higher level.

It left captain Sam Bensky a happy man.

“Our character was tested,” he reflected afterwards.

“It’s our forwards that deserve special mention though for executing a near-perfect set-piece game throughout.”

Blues now take a breather before returning to action in the North West Intermediate League when Marple’s seconds visit on Saturday week, September 23.

They were boosted last weekend by the return of Howard Dunkerley, Dan Jones and Pete Twist to their pack, and a charge by the former created space for Alex Malcolm to notch the game’s first try.

Knutsford added to their points tally when Sam Dawson dotted down shortly afterwards.

The visitors responded, and ran in three tries in quick succession – all of them converted- while the home team lost their composure.

They regrouped at the break, by which time they trailed 21-12, and replied with two tries of their own – converting one of them – either side of a Bowdon penalty.

With the scores tied, Knutsford suffered a blow when Malcolm succumbed to an injury.

New recruit Cameron Smyth replaced him, and a heavy downpour followed.

Blues adapted better, and turned the screw on their opponents by adding three tries to their tally – including a dazzling burst to the line by Twist.

Knutsford’s senior players continue to train tomorrow, Thursday, at Booth’s Hall in Toft, from 7.30pm.