Bedlow’s try hands Blues Park triumph
FIRST took on second at Park Lane on Saturday with Macclesfield in search of the National Two North title.
With just two minutes on the clock, Sedgely Park Tigers took the lead though a good finish from winger Curtis Strong out wide, inside centre Matt Riley adding the conversion.
On ten minutes, Strong grabbed his brace with another good finish out wide, but his time Riley missed the kick.
Strong was once again at the centre of a try, but this time for Macclesfield. Scrum half Jordan Brookes kicked through for Macc and Strong looked to dot down for a 22 drop out, but he allowed Brookes to slide in and get the try, which allowed Macclesfield into the game, 12-7.
Macclesfield took the lead on 27 minutes with a try from young full back Charlie Venables. The Blues worked the ball wide and Venables dotted down, Lewis Barker adding a fine conversion to make it 12-14.
Barker added three from the kicking tee on the half hour mark but shortly after Sedgley ensured they would take a lead into half time.
A powerful carry from lock Juan Crous meant he smashed in under the posts for Riley to convert, 19-17.
Macclesfield started the second half the brighter of the two sides, and former Sedgley man Ryan Parkinson, who started the game in the centres rather than at number eight, picked a fine line for his first try of the game, 19-24.
It didn’t take long for the Tigers to hit back though, number 8 Matt Lamprey making the most of Brendan Berry’s yellow card and scoring, 26-24.
With an hour played, Tom Bedlow saw yellow for Sedgley and Barker added three for Macc to give them a one point lead.
It continued to be a tense affair, but Macc gained a penalty and kicked into the corner. The Blues set an impressive driving maul and Parkinson was at the back of it to pile on the misery against his former club, 26-34.
A fine try late on from Tom Bedlow with a minute to play put the game back into the balance, 33-34.
Sedgley forced a penalty late on but Matt Riley pushed it wide.
MACCLESFIELD:
15 Charlie Venables, 14 Josh Fowles, Lewis Barker, 12 Ryan Parkinson, 11 Rhodri Mayor, 10 Tom Eaton, 9 Jordan Brookes 1 Tom Mantell (59 Marshall Gadd), 2 Sam Moss (59 Paul Millea, 3 Elliot Millar-Mills (70 Billy Robinson), 4 Harrison Lewis, 5 Dave Marwick, 6 Mike Finnemore (10 Brendan Berry), 7 Max Smith, 8 Franky Barker. Unused - 19 Dan Lomax, Brookes 12, Venables 27, Parkinson 48, 74 L Barker 12, 27, 48, 74 L Barker 32, 59 B Berry 53 Ben Blain 297 Ryan Parkinson
TRIES: CON: PEN: SIN BIN: REFEREE: ATTENDANCE: STAR MAN: