CONGLETON'S rugby men returned from Helsby with their tails between their legs on Saturday after a nightmare showing.

Congleton were expecting a comfortable win in their friendly against a side from a lower league, but ended up on the wrong end of an embarrassing 36-3 scoreline.

Things looked promising when Mickey Corless put Congleton ahead with a penalty after nine minutes.

Helsby replied with a try in the 32nd minute, and scored their second touchdown seven minutes later, converting the try to go at the break 12-3 up.

Helsby ran riot in the second half, exploiting Congleton's weaknesses and basic errors to run in a series of further tries.

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