Valiant Blues see red in home loss
NATIONAL LEAGUE 1
IN the final game here at Priory Park before Christmas, The Blues faced their biggest challenge of the season, as they welcomed a rampant Hartpury College.
The visitors got off to a blistering start. Firstly, forcing a Macc handling error in the midfield, marching the Blues back onto their own try-line, allowing Vellacott to score off a routine snipe. The Blues then dug in and retained possession of the ball for five minutes. Macc were able to capitalise on this, sending Ingall over in the corner in the 12th minute.
The Blues continued to prove that they were a match for the visitors, by turning them over and winning a scrum inside their own 22, allowing Macc to clear. This did not last as Hartpury cut through the hosts backline, scoring in the 21st minute. Hartpury extended their lead in the 26th minute through a penalty as Macc.
Matt Van Sertima was sent off after 29 minutes after taking out a player in the air, the ref had no choice but to brandish a red card for the winger. Five minutes later Hart- pury made their superior numbers count, sending Jonas over in the corner.
After this, neither side could muster any significant offense as the half finished 5-22.
Hartpury kept the ball rolling straight after the break, driving over from a maul straight after the break. The visitors then strolled over two minutes later in theory taking the game away from Macc.
The visitors started to show their class, frequently turning over the Blues, while setting up camp in Macc’s 22.
They were rewarded in the 52nd minute, scoring again, under the posts this time after many phases on Macc’s five-meter line.
Macclesfield should have notched up their second try of the match, bursting through Hartpury’s midfield with quick taps and strong lines.
However, a lose pass allowed Hartpury to run the length of the pitch. However, some great scramble defence from Macc meant that Hartpury were shoved out for a lineout. this did not stem the flow as Hartpury were over again in the 58th minute. Hartpury strolled in again in the 65th minute to make the score 5-57.
After this point the visitors took their foot off the gas as they allowed Macc time on the ball.
The hosts weren’t able to capitalise on the extra ball as Hartpury ran in under the posts again through Wilcox with 10 minutes to go. Macc rallied with three minutes left, but they were unable to deliver the final blow and score, eventually conceding a scrum.
Macc put on an almighty shove to win the penalty, which was put into touch, the following lineout was messy but Martin Kent was on hand to tidy up and score at the death.
To make the final score 12-62.
Next up for Macc is an away trip to Fylde before the winter break.