KNUTSFORD Rugby Club played hosts to Congleton in their final league fixture of the season on Saturday.

A win was essential for Knutsford, not only to gain revenge for the defeat at Congleton in November but also to ensure that the club have a realistic chance of gaining promotion.

On a beautiful sunny afternoon at Mereheath lane, Knutsford did not disappoint, treating the large crowd to a spectacle of high tempo, running rugby.

Knutsford started strongly in during an entertaining first half, scored three tries through their speedy centre Lockett, leading try-scorer Owen and the rapidly maturing Mooney.

Tempo

Congleton scored shortly before the interval but this made little difference to the overall result.

In the second half Knutsford upped the tempo and really turned on the style.

On a hot afternoon, Knutsford's expansive style proved to much for a tiring Congleton back-line resulting in five second half tries for Knutsford and three 'sin-binnings' for the opposition.

Tom Coulbeck put on an impressive display in the heart of the Knutsford pack and capped his performance with a well worked try. Scrum-half McGuinness added to his tally before Knutsford's flying winger, Fraser Lloyd Jones made the most of little space to score in the corner.

Southgate scored the seventh try of the day before man of the match Lockett finished a fantastic move by scoring between the posts.

The performance rounds off a fantastic season for the first XV and guarantees that they will finish third in the league.

Knutsford must wait for other league fixtures to be played out during the forthcoming weeks to find out if they maintain second place and consequently gain promotion. Training will continue throughout the summer on Wednesday evenings at 6.30pm at Egerton Youth Club.

Please visit www.knutsfordrugby.com or contact club captain Gareth Walton on 07919620178 for more information.