CONGLETON RUFC's misery continued with a 45-7 kicking at league leaders Ruskin Park.

On current form it was difficult to see an upset occurring in St Helens but the injury-hit visitors could have taken a shock lead, earning 3 penalty kicks in the opening minutes though none were taken.

The expected arrived on the half hour as Ruskin hit a converted try and then quickly raced up the left for a second, unconverted.

Scrum half Richard Burkard hit back for Congleton as he crashed over for a beautiful try, converted by Mark Winship to take a 12-7 deficit into the break.

Opportunities followed for the visitors but were wasted and the pacey back line of Ruskin proved too much, yielding a flurry of tries and inflicting a fifth straight league defeat on Congleton.

South Lancs and Cheshire Division Three makes grim reading with Congleton third from bottom and without a point.

Fifth-placed Douglas (IOM) are next up at home on Saturday, October 26.