Macc crack in the second half

MACCLESFIELD made their hosts work hard for the points in the battle of last season’s National Two champions, but blew a 10-0 lead to go home almost empty handed.

A tepid first half saw Cambridge behind to an early Tom Morton penalty against the run of play. And it went from bad to worse as Ryan Parkinson crossed for the first try, with Morton easily slotting from the tee.

Gradually, though, the Blood & Sand wrestled their way back into it, and Laurence Hutchinson made it 5-10 at the break with Jack Green unable to add the extras against the wind.

Whatever was said at half-time, Stef Liebenberg’s side hit the ground running and the pack upped their game, Matt Meek, Simon Johnson and Wade Schoeman giving them go-forward to disrupt the visitors.

A mis-field halfway allowed Matt Hema to nudge on, and Jamie Ayrton cajoled the ball over the Macc line. Green converted. Then. Hutchinson smashed over for his second of the afternoon and Green added two more points.

Fittingly, a quick tap penalty from Schoeman brought up the bonus point after a 30-metre charge.

A late brace from Max Smith and David Marwick earned Macc a bonus point.