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KNUTSFORD RUGBY CLUB, MEREHEATH LANE, KNUTSFORD. WA16 6SZ
2007-2008 SEASON
PROMOTION FOR BOTH THE 1ST XV AND 2ND XV TEAMS
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St Mary’s Old Boys 1st XV 5-22 Knutsford RUFC 1st XV
Knutsford RUFC 2nd XV 41-0 Buxton RUFC 3rd XV
On Saturday, the hopes and dreams of four years’ dedication, passion and hard work came to fruition at Knutsford Rugby Club as both the First and Second Team Squads secured promotion with games to spare. This is a truly staggering achievement especially when one considers that this was only the second season that the first team have played in the RFU South Lancashire and Cheshire leagues and that the second team are only in their second season of existence.
The build up to the weekend had been a nerve wracking one for all involved at the Club but the pressure and expectation simply strengthened the players’ resolve and on the big day each individual rose to the challenge.
The First XV were playing on the Liverpool coast at high flying St Mary’s Old Boys. A win was crucial as had the result gone the other way; St Mary’s would have been in with a real chance of ruining Knutsford’s season and stealing promotion. However, Knutsford are a side that on their day can give any team a run for their money.
The conditions were horrendous with harsh winds and driving rain meaning that Knutsford needed to keep things tight and make the most of rare opportunities to score. Led quite brilliantly with a gladiatorial performance from captain Fishburne, Knutsford met the opponents and the conditions head on, grafting out a high class victory. From 1 to 15 Knutsford played hard and tackled ferociously, frequently blitzing St Mary’s behind the game line. With two tries from Fishburne, including a forty yard ‘dash’ to the line and two further tries from the highly influential Southgate and vice-captain Coulbeck the victory was assured late in the second half after two sin bins and one sending off for the increasingly frustrated St Mary’s Old Boys.
At Mereheath Lane, the outcome was the same but the performance somewhat different as the second XV made the most of relatively settled first half conditions to run in five first half tries and two in the second period, including a hat-trick from the outstanding Adam Kelly at fly-half. Further tries from Captain McGarrigle, the old master McGuinness, winger Tom Thompson and the formidable Sam Dawson secured another resounding display from a side that not only play with Pride and Passion but have a touch of class that could yet see them win their division.
The two victories mean that both sides are assured of at least runners-up spot in their respective divisions, although both still have a good chance of becoming champions. The first team need Marple to slip up on the final weekend of the season but for the 2nd XV destiny is in their own hands; three successive wins will see them crowned as champions for the first time.
The club will be celebrating with an Annual Rugby Ball at Mere Golf & Country Club on 19th April 2008. For information about this event and playing for Knutsford Rugby Club, visit www.knutsfordrugby.com or call Gareth Walton on 07919 620178.
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Video produced by Wes Oebel.
