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Marple 34 Knutsford 8

8/10/2008

MARPLE triumphed in the South Lancs Cheshire Three clash between last season’s promoted sides.

Marple coach Phil Bettinson believed the match was a benchmark for the team’s level of improvement since they last faced Knutsford in the division below.

The hosts’ 34-8 victory proved Marple’s first team are even stronger and better than last season.

Marple opened the scoring from a quick tap penalty just inside the Knutsford half.

Stand-in captain Simon Gregg passed the ball out wide for Rob Boot-Handford, who weaved through the defence.

He almost made it to the tryline, halted by a tackle, but Boot-Hanford managed to pass the ball to winger Ben Mitchell who dived over the whitewash.

Olly Skelton was unable to convert the kick.

Knutsford came back and strong running built up the pressure against Marple, who gave away three penalties in succession and, with only a minute to go before half-time, the visitors kicked the points to make the score 5-3 to Marple.

The second half was all Marple’s way as they scored five tries to give them the victory.

Centre Luke Green scored the first as he intercepted a loose pass to go all the way unopposed to the posts for Skelton to convert.

Boot-Handford continued to gain ground for the home team and scored a brace of tries to put the game beyond Knutsford, Skelton converting one of the touchdowns.

Marple’s pack performed well in set pieces, winning their own ball in scrums and disrupting Knutsford’s, while man-of-the-match Fred Cortvriend dominated the lineouts with Tom Bate.

Mike Biggs scored Marple’s fifth try as a split pack move resulted in the hooker going over the line.

Left winger Simon Owens touched down in the corner after Marple’s back-line again ripped through the visitors’ defence to complete the hosts’ scoring, before a lapse in concentration gave Knutsford’s winger a consolation try.

Next week Marple visit Holmes Chapel.

Marple’s second team won at Didsbury Toc H, and the thirds won at home to Ashton-on-Mersey.