Confidence builds ahead of tough run
IT was another good afternoon for Macclesfield on the playing fields of Blaby, returning home with a close fought 14-7 victory over a Leicester Lions side that won convincingly at Priory Park back in late September.
In the process they made it four wins in succession to further stabilise their position in National Two North.
With seriously tough games coming up it will do their confidence nothing but good.
High flying Sedgley Park provide the opposition on Saturday for the next important encounter following their own close fought victory by 23-22 over Tynedale.
The Blues will endeavour to reverse October’s 35-15 loss at Whitefield and with it virtually being a derby, together with the recent improvement in results, I expect to see a bumper crowd at Priory Park come 3pm on Saturday. Be there.
Around Two North, Sale – who visit Priory Park on 10 February – maintained top spot with a 39-7 thrashing of South Leicester at Heywood Road and their promotion credentials are looking good although they visit Hinckley on Saturday in what should be the game of the day in Two North as first play second.
Whoever wins that will be looking to promotion already up to National One for next season.
Chester beat Stourbridge at Vicars Cross as the Midlands side drop to fourth, and in the other games Wharfedale move off bottom spot with a 16-10 victory over fellow strugglers Sheffield who drop to basement spot.
Otley, also on a winning streak, beat Huddersfield 22-18 in another Yorkshire derby. The Blaydon v Luctonians game was postponed due to the wintry weather in the North East.
In the other club games on Saturday I had the pleasure of watching two committed Second XV’s thrash it out on a cold and wintry afternoon at Priory Park when Caldy visited with the Lions eventually coming out on top by 17-5 in a game that was a credit to both sides in difficult conditions with both, in turn, showing good attack and defence on a somewhat soft ground. Try scorers for the Lions were Sam Parry on his first game back following injury and Johnny Thompson with Dan Lomax kicking two conversions and a penalty. Man of the Match was Paul Davenport for an impressive all round display.
Elsewhere – and sadly in my book – the 3rd XV had to call off their visit to Vale of Lune as they only had 13 players which will inevitably lead to sanctions from the league for not only the 3rd XV but also the Seconds and 4thXV . In my day if you were short you still travelled and more often than not you were ‘loaned’ a player by the opposition in order to get a game played but enough of ‘all our yesterdays’ this is 2018. Meantime the 4th XV who themselves had problems earlier in the season entertained Marple 2nd XV and won a close game at Priory Park by 20-15.
Going back to player shortages it is not the first time this season that issues have shown themselves with the 3rd & 4th XV who are both playing in leagues ‘above their weight’ following last season’s success and as I have already said in earlier articles if you are interested in playing competitive ‘league’ rugby for Macclesfield RUFC at 1st, 2nd 3rd or 4th XV levels (or even the Colts who are our future) then contact the club on 827899 or simply come along on Tuesday or Thursday evening for training when you will be pointed in the right direction. I live in hope.
Only a week or so now to the start of the Six Nations and also for that ‘other’ rugby game – I can’t wait for both to start and the Six Nations especially with all the injuries around could sow the seeds for some new International talent to come through – and, of course our Cricket team ‘down under’ is showing that we Poms can play a bit even if it is only in the short version of the game!!
Games for this Saturday 1st v Sedgley Park – Home – 3pm 2nd v Sale – Home – 2.15pm 3rd v Rochdale 2 – Home – 2.15.pm 4th v Linley 2 – Away
That’s it for this week – be at Priory Park on Saturday for a ‘Full House’ v. Sedge – enjoy your Rugby – I do.