Knutsford 63-22 Moore

KNUTSFORD’S rugby players revived their promotion hopes in the best possible way – by thrashing a rival with the same aim.

Blues, beaten by champions-elect Lymm fourths in their previous outing, responded in style when Moore visited the Academy last weekend.

They swapped places with their opponents in the North West Intermediate League’s Division Four South table as a reward.

A swift start yielded a try for returning fly-half Sam Cook after the hosts had won an attacking lineout.

Adam Ellery added extras, and Sam Bensky’s men were on their way.

Alex Malcolm crossed the whitewash after quarter of an hour before a third try, this time after a well-worked forwards move, established a 19-3 lead.

Moore rallied, notching a try of their own, and the teams traded two more tries to leave Knutsford 24-15 ahead at the interval.

The pattern did not deviate in the second-half, and further tries from Malcolm, Jack Field and James Southworth were met with replies from the Warrington-based outfit.

Blues used their replacements to bring fresh impetus to their attacks during the closing stages, adding three more tries – two from the pack and another from the backs division – to run out 63-22 victors.

“It’s been a few turbulent few weeks,” reflected Bensky afterwards.

“That’s why it was great to win so emphatically; the whole team put in a real shift to see off strong opponents in difficult conditions.”

Knutsford return to action this Saturday when they visit Northwich thirds, kick-off 3pm.

Moore returned to second spot in the standings following a 75-12 success against the same opponents last weekend.