Optimism swept away in first half

MACCLESFIELD visited the historic Cross Green site of Otley Rugby Club on Saturday with some optimism – but it was blown away by the home side in a one sided first half that saw them take full control with a 31-0 interval lead.

Whatever was said at the interval had an effect as the visitors came back into the game and although losing quite heavily in the end – the score line 48-26 – they gained a solitary bonus point for scoring four tries.

Unfortunately, it still leaves them in the danger area of National Two North and with just ten more games to go before the season closes it will require a Herculean effort to retain their spot at this level.

Ten more games and a possible fifty points before the fat lady sings and this must start on Saturday when the famous Preston Grasshoppers visit Priory Park for our next encounter so get along and lend your voice to the lads on the park.

Around Priory Park on Saturday there was not much activity with it being a ‘Cup Weekend’ and sadly all the lower sides had been knocked out in the earlier rounds so just the 4th XV had a game and they lost out to Leek Seconds – report elsewhere in these pages – so let’s hope for a bit of success for all when the league campaign begins again on Saturday.

Around Two North on Saturday leaders Hull Ionians lost out in a close encounter at Stourbridge by 7-3 and second placed Chester did their cause no harm with a 24-5 victory over bottom club Peterborough Lions.

A high scoring encounter at South Leicester saw the home side beat Hinckley in a ‘Midlands’ derby 30-25 while over in West Yorkshire Huddersfield beat Sheffield Tigers 33-17.

Elsewhere there were victories for Fylde who beast Tynedale 31-5, Wharfedale who won at Preston Grasshoppers and Leicester Lions who won at Sedgley Park.

Away from Macclesfield this weekend of course for all Rugby fans the much awaited Six Nations begins again with England kicking off in Dublin on Saturday after Friday evening’s encounter between France and Wales in Paris while in the other game Scotland entertain Italy so there will be much to mull over come Sunday morning!

All this and back to my roots Super League also kicks back into action this weekend. Clubman will be in his element!! (as long as The Wire begin well!).

I know it is still a bit early to forecast next season’s leagues but it certainly looks like Hull will be returning to Two North as they currently head the North Premier League by a country mile having only lost once in 18 games with another side that the Priory Park faithful will have memories of – Blaydon – currently in the ‘play off’ spot.

In the Midlands Premier it is Scunthorpe who head the table – just – from Newport (Salop) so watch this space to see who comes into Two North next time round as it will be winners of both those leagues plus a ‘play off’ winner between the second clubs in those tables.

Fixtures for Saturday:

1st XV v Preston Grasshoppers – Home – 3.pm.

2nd XV v Sedgley Park – Away

3rd XV v Rochdale 2 – Home

4th XV v Free Week

That’s all for now so get down to Priory Park come 3pm. on Saturday to support Macclesfield in their fight to remain in Two North and then enjoy a pint or two watching the International from Dublin!!

Enjoy your Rugby – I do.