CONGLETON'S rugby men were never in the running on Saturday as they went down 22-0 at Ruskin Park.

Both sides were on the same points total before the league match, although on paper Congleton looked to have the edge.

Ruskin piled into their opponents from the start, and opened the scoring with a converted try in the first few minutes.

Congleton were on the back foot for most of the first half, and conceded a second converted try with 20 minutes gone.

Ruskin gave away a series of penalties, but Congleton failed to take advantage to cut the deficit, and went in 14-0 down at the break.

Ruskin went over in front of the posts five minutes into the second half to make it 17-0.

Congleton went on the attack, forcing Ruskin to concede numerous penalties, but could not force the ball over the line.

Ruskin extended their lead to 22-0 in the 65th minute when a player went over in the right hand corner.

Mike Hampton performed well for Congleton in the lineouts, and did Pete Rowe in the front row.