Fourths rise up to second spot with big win

MACC 4TH XV ............... 50 ASHTON ON MERSEY.. 12

THE fourth team bandwagon trundled up into second place in the league with a comfortable home win against Ashton-on-Mersey. The new year has witnessed the fourth team winning all five games by considerable margins.

The day did not have a good start, with the sad news of the passing of Claire Smith, wife of stalwart member Nick.

Ashton arrived with the reputation of being a strong, versatile, aggressive team who had terrorised others in this division. Macclesfield closed them down completely and were masters in every department, right from the first whistle.

The home side scored eight tries, the first by the excellent Keiran Merriman which opened the flood gates, quickly to be followed by both wingers Jordan Wilson and youngest player Tom

Whylie; scoring tries from both wings is a mark of a very good side.

In the second half, massive lock Jack Nicholson helped himself to a brace of tries; he’s now top try scorer with an aggregate of 16 this season, this from a lock forward is amazing.

There were further late scores including one from Rob McLeod whilst Ryan Brown added five conversions.

The fourth team has an enormous pack of forwards, Jason Walker, Jim Welch, Troy Croaker and Louis Smith, then Jeremy Bostock. Paul Smith, Brad Atherton and Matt Humphreys added speed and ball playing.

In the post-match huddle captain Bostock reminded them that whilst these wins were moving them up the league into 2nd position, his main focus was success in the cup.

Everyone is now determined to bring some silverware home in 2020.