Blues let lead slip at Blaydon
MACCLESFIELD blew a 19-point half time lead to draw 24-24 away at Blaydon. The Blues initially struggled to hold onto the ball and generate any sort of possession or territory.
They were punished for this on the 10th minute when Blaydon scored a try after driving over from a maul.
However, Macc were able to build some forward pressure and were rewarded in the 18th minute when they won a penalty, which resulted in Blaydon having a man sent into the sin bin.
Ryan Parkinson was on hand to touch down from the following scrum.
The Blues continued to make the most of the man advantage as Max Smith scored under the posts for Macc in the 23rd minute after some slick hands.
The next score came in the 35th minute when Frank Barker charged down an attempted chip allowing Fly Half Eaton to waltz in and score Macc’s third try.
The bonus point was secured after Max Smith crossed over in the corner for his second try of the game, making the score 24-5 at the break.
It was the hosts who got the first score in the second half, after some powerful forward play resulted in their second try of the game on the 50th minute.
Within ten minutes they added a third try, as the game turned into a more forward-centric affair.The Blues had to rely on their stout goal line defence in order to keep out the Geordies.
However, Blaydon scored their fourth try of the game after Macc conceded a string of penalties, resulting in Second Row Marwick being sent to the sin bin.
This meant that the Blues would finish the game with 14 men.
This allowed for Blaydon to go over in the corner, tying the scores with five minutes to play.
Despite both team’s efforts, neither side could break the deadlock. Macclesfield will be bitterly disappointed to not have taken all five points from the game. Next up they host Ampthill at Priory Park next weekend.