THE march towards the top of the table continues for Knutsford Rugby Club’s first team.

Saturday’s 25-10 victory over Manchester’s seconds was their third victory in a row, which propelled them up to fourth in the NOWIRL Division Two South table.

After some well-matched early exchanges, Manchester’s physicality and some tidy kicking led to them scoring the opening try.

However, it proved to be the jolt the hosts needed.

After Samuel Cook found Liam Boyle in space, the flanker then slipped a backhand pass for Stefano Spinola to dart over the line.

Fergus Grieves converted before adding a penalty to take Knutsford 10-5 ahead.

They held onto that advantage despite losing Jack Field to the sin bin and coming under some intense pressure, but they were able to regain control after the break.

Joaquim Marques caught the Manchester defence out with a tap-and-go penalty and the Portuguese scrum-half was able to glide over the line with ease to extend his side’s lead.

The visitors’ defence was starting to struggle, with powerful centre Iain Morris becoming more of an influence for Knutsford.

It was him who found space off the back of Boyle’s long-range break from a scrum and he in turn found Grieves, who had options inside and out.

He went for the former to send substitute Ed Snook over the line.

First-team debutant Gianluca Edwards then got in on the act to set up their final try, giving a deft offload to get skipper Sam Bensky over the tryline out wide.

As injuries took their toll, much of the remainder of the game was spent defending and Manchester were able to add their second try.

Despite Bensky being sent to the sin bin, Knutsford held on for what was ultimately a comfortable victory.

The first team do not have a game this weekend but the second XV are in action on home soil as they host North Manchester’s seconds on Saturday.

The firsts’ next game sees them host Warrington’s seconds on October 30.