Gallant effort secures extra points in defeat

MACC 2ND XV ............... 24 LYMM XV ........................ 28

THE 2nd XV were also at home on Saturday against high-flying Lymm. Tables have turned this year with Macclesfield having occupied second spot at the end of the 2018 season.

The previous encounter ended 37-31 at Lymm, on a day when the result could have gone either way.

Macc have benefited from the University Christmas break, as five students returned to play over the weekend (some looking a little heavier than when they left!).

Hamish Burke started at fly-half and orchestrated a great attack early on in the game, Hamish scored himself in the corner to allow Macc to take an early lead, 7-0 (conversion from O. Jones).

The home team didn’t then make full use of the wind and were held on their line for a number of phases. A Lymm try and a yellow card for Macc, followed by an additional seven-pointer, swung the lead back to Lymm 7-12.

Just before half-time the versatile Jake Robinson scored in the corner to level the scores at half time.

Macc switched-off for 10 minutes of the second half which saw Lymm take a 28-12 lead combining a couple of tries and a penalty kick.

There was plenty of time left but the head-on wind and tiring legs saw the boys facing a very literal uphill challenge. The second half revival needed something inspirational and that came from the tight head prop Jake Percival. Two barnstorming tries, one converted by Hetherington, left Macc a tantalising four points adrift with three minutes left to play. That’s how it ended but a valiant effort and a never-say-die attitude provided the 2s with extra match points to take into the league.

There were many positives including: the set piece in difficult conditions, long phases of possession as the wind limited the kicking options and the welcoming back of former junior member Harry Jackson who was a lively addition in the second half at scrum half.

Next match: Preston Grasshoppers at Priory Park 1/2/20.