Fourths eager to return

MACCLESFIELD RUFC fourth team had no match last weekend for the second successive Saturday.

Captain Ryan Brown was confident that although his side had actually no fixture they would have all be working out on their fitness and rugby skills to make sure that when next Saturday came round they would all be ready and competitive.

The side is currently on a winning streak, they were victorious in their previous two and both Brown and vice captain Jeremy Bostock wanted to continue the good form.

Some players have missed three weeks – Jim Welch, Luois Smith, Chris Eppey and Jack Pearce from the set of forwards, Richard Hogg and Andrew Foster out of the backs. Some of these could be feeling rather rusty next weekend.

In some ways the fourth are the envy of the second and third teams because they are a large squad of some 25 players, wheras the higher sides are sometimes unable to field a full 15. Therefore players from the 4th have to step to higher sides to ensure these teams meet their programme.

The fourth side have this wonderful attitude of being a rugby social side. As the two Smiths, Paul and Nick, both centres put it, they play hard for 80 minutes then enjoy the friendliness of the apres match fellowship. Indeed the end of season tour to Gibraltar, being organised by Jason Walker is fully subscribed with 40 players and supporters.

This tour has been a wonderful sucess in four previous seasons to Jersey, Athens and the Netherlands, everyone loving the ribald dressing room atmosphere and bar room fun.

Next Saturday, following the blanks it’s back to regular rugby and trusting for a good win and moving up the table. Macc face Linley seconds away in the last game before the Christmas break.