Blues out to extend Lions’ sluggish start

LAST Saturday saw the Macclesfield faithful travel over to West Yorkshire and the spectacularly sited Lockwood Park – home of Huddersfield Rugby where they faced a home side still to record a ‘W’ in Two North having lost their three opening encounters.

But as the game opened out they showed no sign of concern and immediately took the game to Macclesfield leading 5-3 at the interval.

Despite the Blues taking a second half lead it was the home side backed by their vociferous supporters in the tin stand who came out on top and at the death denied Macc even a bonus point.

This weekend we entertain another side still to record a ‘W’ in Leicester Lions who went down to a Tynedale side that has already laid down a marker, along with Stourbridge, for this campaign in a close 28-26 game in the Midlands.

Lions have previously lost to Sale FC 40-10, South Leicester 31-18 and Hinckley 37-34 but against Tynedale they scored four tries to Tyne’s three and they have a potent winger in Devon Constant who already tops the try scoring list with seven so far this season.

Lions, you may recall, were one of the sides I forecast would have a good season but they have not begun well so perhaps time for Giles Heagerty to get his squad back on their bikes in front of the home support – be there to give your support, kick off 3pm.

Around Priory Park the first month of the season is not going to plan with defeats to the Lions who lost 54-24 to Caldy at home whilst the Thirds suffered a 44-10 defeat at the hands of Rossendale Seconds.

Sadly I have no detail of these encounters to expand upon and finally the 4th XV had a day off last Saturday but resume duties this week.

I mentioned the ‘atmosphere’ that was evident at Lockwood Park last Saturday and certainly the crowd in that stand with its noise spilling out on to the park must have an effect on the home players.

I well recall many years ago as a youngster back in South Lancashire the atmosphere created at the old Wilderspool Stadium in Warrington where I was brought up in the ‘boys pen’ behind the sticks on the terraces and the noise created certainly affected me if not the players!!

In those days most RL grounds were two thirds terrace and one third stand and the noise must have done something to those on the park – it certainly did for me as it did at many of the other grounds I visited in those far off days – Naughton Park, Central Park, Knowsley Road, Station Road, The Willows etc.,etc. – good memories of happy days.

Let’s have some of the same at Priory Park this weekend to support the Blues.

Anyhow, back to reality and around the sport injuries are already looking ominous for England in the forthcoming Internationals with big names already taking knocks for their clubs in this long season. This is already evident at our level with the medical teams at most clubs including Macc being kept busy week on week to keep players on the park with their hard work behind the scenes in the medical room.

In the Premiership it is good to see a northern team at the top end of the table and although it is not Sale Sharks, who are currently at the wrong end, it is good to see Newcastle Falcons in second place.

Falcons, as you may know, do assist the North East clubs with ‘loan’ players in our league and this does show the challenges and quality of the game at our level.

Before the game against Leicester Lions this Saturday there is a formal lunch as there will be before many of our home games the next being on 14 October when Sheffield Tigers visit.

If you would like a place contact Jonathan at the club as they do get booked up quickly.

Cost for these excellent pre match occasions is £15 plus usual match admission fee Games for this Saturday:1st v. Leicester Lions – Home – KO 3.pm. 2nd v. Sale FC – Away 3rd v. Free Week 4th v. Marple 2 – Home That’s it for now – enjoy your Rugby – I do.