Great to be back in action at Priory Park

AFTER all the preseason hype it was down to business on Saturday as the League Season began in earnest with Macclesfield entertaining Wharfedale at Priory Park and in a good opening encounter it was the home side that eventually ran out convincing winners after early Wharfedale pressure but more about all that in the match report.

Before the game and indeed during it many youngsters were enjoying the Family Fun Day which had been organised to coincide with this first fixture and thankfully the weather was kind for all who attended and enjoyed the various activities on offer.

Other games in National Two North saw many pundits favourites for the title, Sale FC, begin in convincing fashion by beating a team that I believe may well also be in the running come next April – Leicester Lions quite convincingly at Heywood Road. This coming weekend’s opposition for Macc – Chester – went down surprisingly heavily by 52-21 up in the North East at Tynedale where we have also suffered in the past!!

Sedgley Park were easy winners at Sheffield Tigers by 38-3 and they will, as always, post a threat on the park with victories on this first weekend also going to Stourbridge, Hinckley, Luctonians & South Leicester.

The team that replaced us in National One this season – Caldy – had a day to forget at Bishops Stortford losing 49-26 but it is early days all round yet so plenty of wood still to burn on the fire.

Around Priory Park it was a disappointing afternoon for the club’s other sides with the Lions losing 41-22 at Sedgley Park and the 3rds at Priory Park going down 53-24 in a high scoring encounter against visiting Vale of Lune Seconds. Worryingly the 4th XV had to concede their game at Whitchurch.

This season many of the 1st XV’s home games will be preceded by a ‘formal’ dinner consisting of three courses at the still bargain rate from last season of £15 per head so do ensure that your support of the club means that you will enjoy many of these occasions as well as the following offerings on the park.

Elsewhere in rugby the Premiership got under way with our local side Sale Sharks – coached by former Macc Player Steve Diamond – lost in another high scoring encounter by 50-35 at Wasps and looking at results elsewhere there does appear to be very much a North/South divide in the game and I wonder if the ghosts of those who met in the now demolished George Hotel in Huddersfield back in the 1890s are turning in their graves.

This Saturday Macclesfield travel to Hare Lane, Littleton – the home of Chester Rugby Club – for our next encounter and for the travelling fans the post-code is CH3 7DB but the ground is quite easy to get to just off the A51 on the outer approach to the City after passing through Tarvin on your right hand side before hitting the A55. Kick off there will be 3.pm.

However before then there is the small matter of a Lords Test Match v Windies to enjoy after they levelled up an intriguing series last week. Let’s hope no idiots with crossbows are let loose near the ground for what should be a compelling game. Fixtures for Saturday 1st XV v. Chester – Away – 3.pm. 2nd XV v. Preston Grasshoppers – Home 3rd XV v. Rochdale 2 – Away 4th XV v. Oswestry 2 – Home

So that’s about it for now and if you are not making the short trip to Chester then go down to Priory Park to support the Lions in what is always a good encounter with Wade Dooley’s former club.

Enjoy your Rugby – I do.