CONGLETON'S rugby men produced a promising 24-7 victory over Marple at the weekend to remain in the top three of the league.

Continual possession paid off for Congleton when a controlled maul near the Marple line saw the pack drive over.

Flanker Chris Edwards emerged with the ball in his hands to put the home side ahead, Mark Winship kicking the conversion.

Marple found the Congleton pressure too great and began to give away penalties, Winship taking advantage of the first to extend the lead to 10-0.

The next score, a try, came from a spell of pressure from the Congleton forwards, who quickly released the ball to the backs, and full back Chivers went over in the corner.

The conversion failed but Winship made amends soon after with a second penalty to see Congleton leading 18-0 at the interval.

A succession of quickly taken second half penalties saw gaps appear in the Congleton defence, and Marple scored a converted try through a rolling maul.

Congleton rallied to add two more penalties from the boot of Winship.

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