Blues feel the bite of winter
ONCE again the weather put paid to any rugby for Macclesfield on Saturday when the wintry weather ensured we all remained inside as the scheduled game against Luctonians was called off early Saturday morning.
It leaves the Blues now facing two postponed games to be re-scheduled although I can tell you that the Sheffield game will now be played, I understand, on 24 February next with the next ‘reserve’ Saturday being 17 March so I presume that the Lucs game will be played then.
With all the other club games for second, third and fourth teams also postponed it was left to what in the end was an excellent pre-match dinner in the clubhouse on Saturday for everyone to get together and enjoy the fare with comedian Scott Bennett providing the après lunch entertainment for all.
I didn’t stay for too long after his spot finished as I had a concert to attend in the evening (and that also was first class thanks to the NCO and the excellent soprano Elin Manahan Thomas) but hopefully the weather will have relented by weekend as the Blues travel down to early season league leaders Stourbridge as the half-way stage of the campaign arrives for most clubs – except Macc now!!
Around Two North there were some interesting results in those games that were played with bottom of the table Wharfedale almost pulling off the big surprise by going down 20-17 at top of the table Hinckley.
Sale continued their progress with a comprehensive 54-12 victory at Heywood Road over Blaydon and in the bottom of the table clash Sheffield came away from Otley with a 20-5 victory which leaves the ‘wrong end’ of the table looking very interesting with just six points sepa- rating Macclesfield in 12th spot and Wharfedale at the bottom and with games in hand it is important that we get that ‘winning feeling’ sooner rather than later.
This weekend’s opposition – Stourbridge - travelled all the way up to Tynedale where the home club and referee considered that the ground was playable only to indicate that they were not willing to play on the surface and thus returned to the Midlands without playing.
I have in mind similar circumstances a few years ago that this happened to Macclesfield as well but I cannot recall where but if the referee considers it safe to play then, in my view, the decision should rest with him.
Apart from the lack of Rugby around Priory Park on Saturday the main news of the week was that sadly the club and Director of Rugby for the past few seasons – Giles Heagerty – have parted company with his deputy – Marshall Gadd – taking over the reins on the park as the squad seeks to stabilise their position in Two North after the problems of the last campaign and relegation from National One.
Your support on the touchline is more important than ever during this crucial period for the Blues so even if you don’t travel to Stourbridge on Saturday please make sure that you are at Priory Park on 23 December to celebrate a Christmas victory over local rivals Chester as the season enters the second half of the campaign.
Some interesting observations in the weekend sports papers with the ‘drinking culture’ seemingly apparent in the England Cricket camp and also the fact – which I can identify with although it is a few years now since I was ‘priced out’ of going to Twickenham for Internationals – that quote ‘boozing fans give true rugby lovers a headache’ in the weekends Rugby Paper.
This clearly is an issue and it won’t just go away without some effort on the part of the authorities and the provision of alcohol at major sporting events despite its excessive price will put off the genuine fans who wish to go and just watch a game to support their side.
Having sorted out the debris in Macc when working late on Friday & Saturday nights I know where they are coming from!!
For those intending to travel to Stourbridge on Saturday (kick off 3.pm.) they play at Stourton Park, Br idgnor th Road,Stourton, Stourbridge DY7 6QZ. From Priory Park it is 75 miles so allow around 2 hours travelling time.
SATURDAY’S FIXTURES
1st v. Stourbridge – Away 2nd v. Sedgley Park – Away 3rd v. Lymm – Home 4th v. Oswestry – Away
Again not much rugby at Priory Park and just one more Saturday before the Festive Season.
Enjoy your Rugby – I do.