Positives aplenty from fourths loss

MACCLESFIELD 4TH SANDBACH 3RD

MACCLESFIELD conceded eight tries in this clash – but four were scored whilst the team were down to fourteen players due to controversial sin bins, otherwise the score would have been more reflective.

This season the RFU has reinforced the Law regarding high tackles and even the England side is struggling to ensure tackles are below chest height.

This week the front row of Jeremy Bostock, Mike Dale and Jason Walker had a combined weight of 50 stones, they used their poundage to huge advantage keeping a solid platform in the set scrummages, always advancing no matter which team’s scrum feed.

If that’s not enough, Jim Welch and Rob McCloud, the locks, added their physiques for a mighty front five – thus at set piece lines out possession was ensured. These two timing their jumps aided by intelligent lifting acquired good ball even on Sandbach’s throw ins.

In the back row Simon Street, ever a powerhouse carrier with ball in hand, and Scott Goodfellow and Matt Price thus the set of forwards was formidable.

They were strong, robust and belligerent but occasionally lacked mobility around the park.

Behind them the young gem Ben Higginbotham continues his development and always puts together an eye catching performance. He scored an excellent try for Macclesfield.

This week he combined with Paul Smith who had a very good game in the number 9 shirt.

The centres Alfie Wright and Nick Smith made their own breaks crossing the gain line or shipping out to the wings Ben Langham and Kyle Ridgeway. It was good to see Smith’s return after a month out with hamstring injury.

Both captain Ryan Brown and forward leader Bostock stated there were plenty of positives about such a heavy defeat.

They appreciated the five substitutes, Troy Crocker, Rick Hogg, Jim Leighton, John Rushton and Keiran Merryman to call upon. This shows very good team spirit, feilding a match day squad of 20 players and allows permutations to be made maintaining the freshness of those on the pitch.

Brown said he was further delighted with the fourth team’s second try, well into injury time.

A line out throw in by Dale was collected by McCloud and the whole set of forwards mauled the ball over the whitewash from 15 yards it was Goodfellow who had the final touches down for an excellent try.