8 tries would seem a little one sided, but to be fair, it wasn't quite a reflection on the game as a whole. Knutsford have improved over the last year or so, and were ahead at half-time 12-10. Having rested some lads that had played a lot of rugby recently, we fielded a squad of 19, giving loads of game time to everyone.

We played some excellent stuff, with our patterns in the backs working well in spite a change in personnel and positions. Richard would have been proud to see the lads concentrating on the 3 P's, and we were playing the game in the right areas of the pitch too. Our dominance told with a try through the forwards for Monty Weatherby, and it seemed that the day would be a formality, but then Knutsford hit back.

2 tries from deep and we found ourselves 12-5 down. In the past, I may have reached for the panic button, but the lads looked composed and confident, as they realised that they were in a game. The first half ebbed and flowed, and Knutsford could have stretched their lead but for a great tackle from Tom Wade. The appearance of a couple of the senior lads on the side line, seemed to gee us up a bit, and we hit back just before half-time with another Monty Weatherby power surge to keep us in touch at 12-10 down.

Without the luxury of wholesale changes at half-time, the lads rose to the tack well, and immediately got their noses in front, by taking points from a Penalty, Matt Reel, slotting them home. As soon as we got our noses in front, we cut loose. Callum Darlington sniped a try after good work from the forwards, then Tom Stock finished a great move to further stretch our lead. We still had to work hard, and in fairness, Knutsford were still in the game. Josh Elsby, a constant threat got a try that he deserved, while James Moore, ever supporting the breakdown, made it our 17th different scorer of the season. Monty Weatherby completed his hat-trick, before Josh Elsby added his second of the game, just before the end, to give a kind gloss to the scoreline.

17 different scorers, of 55 tries this season, is a great effort. We are only 60 points off our total for the whole of last season, so we have reasons to be cheerful heading into the festive period. We played some great rugby, with some of the lads slotting in nicely to give us some selection headaches, to prove what a great squad we have. Tom Wade did very well at full-back, Tom Coulter had some great runs, but came up against a very capable opposite winger. Freddie Godley tackled fiercely, while Matt Reel was intelligent with his kicking. Tom Lea and Callum Darlington switched positions for the week, showing their versatility, and James Finucane came on at centre to add some power, but Josh Elsby took the MOM for the backs form some thunderous running.

The forwards came up against a good pack, and looked composed in the set pieces. Harry Taylor was great around the ruck area, while Joe Woodruff and Jack Bayes were powerhouses in the second row. Joe Beckett and Alex Walker never stopped running, while Tom Stock was strong in the mauls and scrums. Connor Radcliffe put his body on the line again, more blood, while it was great to see Ollie Taylor back from injury, to add to our firepower. Christian Dolan and James Moore added presence in the pack, but it was hat-trickateer of Monty Weatherby who took the MOM for the forwards.

Overall, a good performance, with some confident lads in tow at the moment. We have versatility, power, strength, skill and pace on board, but with 5 or 6 lads on the sidelines watching, we showed our great team spirit.