Blues build on solid opening
NATIONAL LEAGUE 2 MACCLESFIELD ............ 31 PRESTON G’HOPPERS... 3
MACCLESFIELD made it two wins from two games at Priory Park as they defeated Preston Grasshoppers 31-3.
The Blues opened the scoring on 11 minutes, a dominant Macclesfield scrum forcing their counterparts to crack under the pressure. They took full advantage and scored as Elliot Mills bashed his way over the line.
Hoppers got themselves off the mark on 20 minutes, full back Sean Taylor adding three from a penalty.
The dominant Macc pack again proved to be all too powerful for the visitors. The Blues set a driving maul on 25 minutes, it powered over and Ryan Parkinson touched down.
Hoppers came into the game late in the half but The Blues kept them at bay with strong defence to stop them from getting a try on numerous occasions. Macc went in at half time 12-3 up.
The blues fired out the starting blocks in the second half, Jordan Brookes spotted a gap around the fringe of the ruck and touched down after 3 minutes.
The Blues were then reduced to 14 men, Marshall Gadd was sent to the bin. The Blues defended astutely throughout this period though, and kept the Hoppers at bay.
With 15 men back on the pitch, The Blues secured the bonus point win, Macc worked the ball wide and Matt O’Regan dived over on 65 minutes to finish a fantastic team move.
The Blues had time for one more score in the closing stages, to really add gloss to a solid home win.
Dave Marwick powered over, and Barker converted to make it 31-3 at the full time whistle.
1 Marshall Gadd, 2 Sam Moss, 3 Elliot Mills, 4 Dave Marwick, 5 Ben Jones, 6 Mike Finnemore, 7 Ryan Parkinson, 8 Franky Barker 9 Jordan Brookes, 10 Lewis Barker, 11 Rhodri Mayor, 12 Tom Eaton, 13 Elliot Brierley, 14 Josh Fowles, 15 Matt O’Regan 16 Brendan Berry, 17
MACCLESFIELD:
Martin Kent, 18 Harrison Lewis, 19 Phil Laing, 20 Jake Evens
Mills (11), Parkinson (24), Brookes (43), O’Regan (64), Marwick (80) Lewis Barker 11, 44, 80 Matt Turvey
207 12-3 Ryan Parkinson
TRIES: CON: REFEREE: ATTENDANCE: HT SCORE: STAR MAN: