Reality check in
they recycled the ball deep into Otley territory looking for a scoring opportunity, but a cut-out pass was telegraphed by Otley’s 10, Callum Irvine who intercepted the pass, sprinting 60 metres unopposed to score.
It wasn’t the end of the world, and after sustaining a series of attacks by Otley a 50/22 by Tom Morton gave Macclesfield a lineout deep in the 22.
Simeon Meek broke from the ensuing maul to barge over for a try on his debut; and converted by Alex Davies.
What happened next was a sign of things to come, Otley’s 15, Ben
Magee, took-off deep in his own half, beating the first tackler then using his pace to outstrip the defence, although he was caught on the line, Gavin Stead picked up to score.
A penalty to Irvine followed, after a high tackle to make it 7-15; Davies followed up with a penalty to make it 10-15 after 30 minutes.
Pressure in Macc’s 22, resulted in a try for Hooker Luke Cole following a lineout maul. The score at half-time was 7-20.
Minutes into the second-half and Ben Magee set-off on his forth attack from deep, his blistering pace and acute angle kept him clear of the defence, beating a man on the line to make it 7-25.
The momentum was now clearly with Otley, and when Captain Tom Morton left the field injured, Macclesfield would have their backs to the wall.
Alex Davies was yellowcarded for not releasing and the pressure mounted.
Scrum after scrum followed with Otley in total control, however every wheel of the scrum was deemed by the referee to be the Macclesfield Props not pushing straight.
A criticism not lost on the Otley pack, as every scrum thereafter wheeled.
The referee made his point by yellow carding Brendan Berry and Macclesfield were reduced to 13.
Another wheel at the next scrum made it easy for the Otley 9, Joe Rowntree to scamper over.
When Macc had the ball they were still competitive but once Otley got close to the try line again their driving maul made it easy for Cole to get his second.
Macclesfield were now back to 15 and with a penalty advantage Alex Davies chipped over the defence and gathered for an excellent individual score.
Otley back in the Macclesfield 22, took advantage of an overthrow the ball ultimately reaching Ben Magee who easily rounded the now tiring defence to score.
Undaunted Macclesfield went back up the pitch and winning a penalty, 10 metres out, Alex Davies quickly tapped to himself, and darted over to score.
There was now a reasonable chance of a bonus point and Macclesfield went through phase after phase in their own half, until a kick deep into Otley territory found the quick-silver Magee again, who ran it back to the try line, passing to 14, Henry Roberts, to score. Roberts would put the final nail in the coffin to score his second on his 100th cap for Otley.
There was no mistaking the strength of Otley, they have recruited well and will be very difficult to beat in the North Premier. Andy Appleyard was