Make Priory Park a fortress: Finnemore
MACCLESFIELD Blues ended their winless streak at Priory Park on Saturday with a hard fought victory over the travelling Caldy.
The Blues scored two tries in each half to seal a 34-27 win – but they will feel they left a lot of points on the pitch, with mistakes that cost them points but luckily not the match.
Mike Finnemore spoke with a sense of relief after the game, but also a desire to make this the first of many wins at Priory Park this campaign.
“It’s a big deal, we’ve had a few losses and we didn’t get the start we needed. To win at home in front of a big crowd was fantastic and its finally got that monkey off our back. If we keep working at it and really grafting I think we can make Priory Park a fortress this year.”
Both Finnemore and Head Coach Giles Heagerty knew the importance of the win but also felt The Blues could have come away from the game with much more points on the board.
Heagerty added: “Its nice to get the 5 point win, we certainly made hard work of it but it’s a win. But to get that home win today, it’s been a while. It makes it even better that it was in front of a big crowd and the first home game of the season, hopefully we can set a marker down.”
Giles was also impressed with the impact of some of the new faces, Harrison Lewis impressed off the bench and Marshall Gadd led from the front and dismantle his opposite man in the scrum.
“Harrison Lewis put himself about, he brings a physical edge, but I was pleased with the contribution of the whole group not just the new lads.
“We’re very fortunate with the players we have in the front row, we had a platform for most of the game. Marshall brings a lot to the side both on and off the field, I’m very happy to have him here.”
Finnemore and Heagerty both highlighted the importance of making Priory Park a tough place to come.
The skipper added: “We need to force every team that comes here to have a really tough day at the office. It’s a great pitch for us and we’ve got to make it horrible for anyone that comes here.”