KNUTSFORD will start the new league campaign this Saturday on the back of progressing to the semi finals of the Cheshire Plate.

A 29-16 home success against Prenton at the weekend sets them up nicely for the visit to Newcastle-under-Lyme.

Knutsford could have scored a few more points if their set pieces had been on point, so there is still work to do especially in the lineout.

Improvements in that department would only better the platform for their backs to execute.

Keen to demonstrate their pre-season learnings on a sunny and warm day, knutsford dominated the opening 10 minutes with strong phase play and ball retention.

Giles Robertson marshalled his forwards with aplomb and the backs were effective with ball in hand.

Penalties on both sides showed the rustiness expected at this early stage of the campaign and too many hands in the rucks, offsides and handling the ball when they shouldn’t, had Knutsford soon pinned back in their half.

The wind was making it difficult to get out.

Great tackles from Kyle Blake and Stefano Spinola frustrated their opponents but Prenton scored after a barrage of runners successfully attacked.

Knutsford scored a perfectly executed training ground set play to respond.

Jim Southall cut through the line for Joachim Lourenco-Marques to feed Cook who hit a wide pass to winger Chris Isherwood. After he attracted two tacklers he popped the ball inside to Alex Malcolm to dot down from full-back.

Prenton scored a few of their own tries, with fitness playing a part. Defensively, although strong, Knutsford tired.

The visitors struggled to stop the angles of running after the break.

A try from Lourenco-Marques followed after good phases of forward play.

Knutsford ended in style after more good ball retention created a large overlap 10 yards out from the line.

Lourenco-Marques fed Cook who flung a 20 yard pass to Blake positioned cannily on the wing who took it over the line to finish the day.