Knutsford RFC Kasuals’ Cup Success
Despite the long trip the Kasuals started the stronger, with their heavy weight pack led by Dave Owen winning the early battles with the Fylde bruisers. This early forward pressure soon paid off with an easy try for John Parr. Despite the tight angle, Steve McGuiness cooly stroked over the conversion for a 7-0 lead.
Kasuals’ new boy, Gareth Russell, a former captain of Fylde, was outstanding in the loose and soon crashed over for the second try. 12 – 0 at half time and the Kasuals looked comfortable.
However, the Vandals turned up the heat at the start of the second half and their powerful forwards forced numerous infringements from the Kasuals, leading to a raft of penalties. Within 15 minutes of the second half the Kasuals had leaked two tries, one conversion and a penalty to trail 12 – 15.
Seemingly down and out the kasuals then returned to their trademark forward power play and under careful orchestration by Steve “fingers” McGuiness, managed to power half way up the field in 8 phases of play before the ever busy Nick Webb was able to create space to dive over for a magnificent third try.
Not surprisingly the Vandals came back even stronger and brought on some heavyweight replacements but the kasuals held their nerve, tackled anything that moved (with or without the ball) and amazingly kept the Vandals from crossing the line. With five minutes left to play, birthday boy Steve Wilkinson poached the ball from a Vandals’ line out and some fine handling from Paul Ritchie and Nick Barnes-Batty created space for the ever combative Sean Rowsell to seal the game with the killer fourth try.
The third round will take place at Mereheath Lane on Saturday 27th February at 2.15pm when the Kasuals will entertain the Cumbrian strong men from Kirby Lonsdale.
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