Congleton – 7

Uttoxeter – 32
Uttoxeter travelled to Congleton on Saturday to play a so-called friendly, a week before their big Owen Cup semi-final at home against Whittington.
With a number of key players missing Uttoxeter brought Gagie into the back line and also reintroduced Wheeldon.
Uttoxeter kicked off and started brightly. Half backs Owen and Ball kicked the ball deep into Congleton’s half and the Uttoxeter pack worked hard to dominate possession at both lineouts and set scrums.
It was not long before Uttoxeter were close to the Congleton try line, but despite an attempted drive by the pack the defence held firm.
Congleton quickly gave away a penalty, however, and Ball nudged it over to make it 3-0 to Uttoxeter.
Although Uttoxeter dominated the game they seemed unable to make the final pass go to hand.
Owen and Ball continued to make use of kicking high and long in order to pressurise the opposition full back.
This paid dividends when a high crossfield kick from Ball was fumbled by the Congleton number 15.
Winger Matt Williams was then able to touch down for a try which was converted by Ball to take the half time score to 10-0.
Uttoxeter began the second half positively and from the first whistle the forwards powered upfield. The storming Don Hayes was unstoppabel and he popped to the irrepressible Parton, who thundered over for a five-pointer.
Congleton continued to find themselves under great pressure. Good interplay between forwards and backs eventually found winger James Williams in space.
Beating his man and then chipping the ball over the full back, Williams was able to sprint past the defence, pick up and score. The great try was converted by Ball.
Uttoxeter were now in the swing of things and were playing great rugby. From another good passage of play Tony Ball showed a superb turn of pace to glide through the defence and score.
He converted his own try before adding another penalty to take Uttoxeter’s lead to 32 points.
Congleton put up some spirited resistance in the last 15 minutes, and Uttoxeter found themselves on the back foot and camped in their own quarter.
The home side’s pressure finally paid off when the Congleton fly half cut his way through the Uttoxeter cover for an isolated try. The consolation try was converted and made the final score 32-7.
Gorman and Hodkingson both spent 10 minutes in the sin bin during the game for minor indiscretions. Davies replaced Parton at prop midway through the game and showed his promise by delivering a solid performance.
Ball will have been pleased with his team’s performance and will hope that Uttoxeter play as well this Saturday when they entertain Whittington at Oldfields.
If Uttoxeter win this weekend they will book their third consecutive appearance in the Owen Cup final.