Old Bedians 2nd 17 Knutsford 14

KNUTSFORD delivered a performance last weekend that was much-improved on their previous one but still fell to a narrow defeat.

Blues trailed 17-14 with time running out when Rick Jones resisted attempts by several opponents to stop him only to be ushered into touch before he could cross the line.

It was frustrating for the visitors, who led at the interval.

They had started promisingly, Giles Robertson forcing his way over the whitewash to open the scoring and Frazer Crawford added a conversion.

Old Bedians rallied, and a jinking run by their flanker saw him find a gap in Knutsford’s defence to dot down his side’s first try.

And history repeated just 10 minutes later when the same back-row forward evaded a number of tackles to score again.

Blues regained momentum though and spent time in opposition territory before Crawford, off the back of some loose play, plotted a course towards the hosts’ line before off-loading to skipper Sam Bensky.

However was judged to have been held up by the match official after celebrating a try.

Knutsford did add to their tally shortly afterwards though and when they next turned over possession Robertson claimed his second score of the contest from short-range.

Crawford’s kick established a 14-10 interval lead.

The second-half was less eventful, and defences prevailed until Old Bedians recycled possession from the back of a ruck before exploiting an overlap on the left to dot down.

A successful conversion helped them avenge a defeat in the return fixture back in November.