Fourths’ old heads surprise Toc H
IN an afternoon of Mediterranean temperatures at kick off time, Macclesfield’s fourth team hit their straps very quickly and registered the first League win of this campaign against Toc H.
It was a rather strange line up with four unrelated Smiths in their ranks. Louis at 6, Nick at scrum half, another Nick at full back and a very quiet Paul who unusually for him lasted the full 80 minutes at outside centre.
In the front row there was an enormous amount of experience. Mick Dale, winner of player of the season for 2018/9, Rufus Dixon and Jason Walker.
With the combined scrummaging power of these two props, Dixon’s life was like a pleasant run around in the sunshine.
Walker this season is continuing his fitness career with Poynton Running Club thus belieing his surname.
The engine room of captain Jeremy Bostock and Jack Nicklaus, scorer of three tries – how unusual is that – a hat-trick from a lock forward. This duo always give 100 per cent even in this hot weather, thanks to plenty of rehydration breaks.
The forwards were completed by Rob McLeod and Matt Price, with a solid pack like this possession of the ball was not a problem
All the substitutes were forwards being a most unorthodox bench. Rick Hogg is a regular starter and very sound member of our side; there were three over 50s, Troy Coaker, young by comparison to Geoff Chan and Jim Curtis, 56 and 58 respectively.
James Parsons at 10 kept the backs moving well and young Jordan Wilson on the wing crashed over for a second half try and on the other wing Ryan Brown got on the scoresheet with a conversion.
Parsons scored the remaining points with three conversions and a penalty.
Keiran Guest hasn’t appeared often in the side but said he needs a lot more game time and has been assured after this performance that won’t be a problem. Leaving the field, captain Bostock passed close to Toc H’s post match huddle and heard their skipper telling his men that incredibly they had lost to a much better side eith so many old heads.
There was huge hilarity in the dressing room when this anecdote was relayed. The fourth travel to Hope Valley next week wanting to build on this win with another victory.