Manchester 2nd 57-23 Knutsford

KNUTSFORD could be upbeat about their performance despite falling to defeat against promotion-chasing Manchester seconds.

Blues collected a bonus point as a reward for scoring four tries and they were not knocked off course after mistakes in defence during the early exchanges led to their hosts scoring first.

The visitors responded quickly though when Alex Malcolm kicked a penalty.

They played their part too in a contest that ebbed and flowed but were not as clinical as the North West Intermediate League Division Three South leaders who countered effectively.

Their reward was to establish a lead on the scoreboard before Ric Jones touched down his first try for Knutsford.

There was sterling work in defence too from forwards Howard Dunkerley and Dom Anglin as well as wing man Chris Ishwerwood while Adam Ellery’s kicking remained reliable throughout.

Blues increased their tally in the second period when Sam Cook, Tom Page and then Nick Webb crossed the whitewash.

However none of those tries were converted.

Malcolm, Jones and Giles Robertson continued to cut attacking lines in a bid to swell Blues’ total before time ran out.

They sit seventh in the table with two matches left.

A meeting with Lymm Kestrels on Saturday has been postponed after their rivals withdrew from the competition and so they play next on Saturday week, April 6, when Capenhurst visit.