Rest a chance to reflect on progress
RUGBY UNION TERRANCE ROBSON
MACCLESFIELD RUFC’s fourth team had no fixture this week so the players took the opportunity to watch England against the New Zealand All Blacks.
The senior players in the Macc side, Jeremy Bostock, Simon Street, Andrew Foster and Paul Smith remain very optimistic, not just for the remainder of the season but also for the development of the younger players in the side. Young men like Ben Higginbotham, Alfie Wright and Bill Langham have improved their game quite a margin due to match coaching in the 80 minutes match time in the face of their opposition.
Ben has added lots of new dimensions since September’s start of the season.
It is also quite a feature having Scott Goodfellow, Troy Croaker and Jim Welch in the team. They always add lots of aggression to the forwards and with younger members like Matt Price and Rob McCloud in there the future looks great.
Several problems remain, including coming to terms with the new directive on high tackles (all introduced for player safety) and the very wide disparity of opposition.
Although the personnel of Macclesfield changes from week to week owing to injuries and unavailability the methodology of their rugby is constant.
However, they meet sides that they are able to beat by more than 50 points whilst other teams win against Macc by the same margin. It will take two or three seasons before this sorts itself out.
Captain Ryan Brown is new to skippering a team but is thoroughly enjoying the experience.
He likes that he is able to call upon 20 players enabling him to have a full bench of replacements.
He’s also very happy with the attitude of the physical game and the social aspect of his men.
They all play hard and enjoy the after match banter in the bar and the dressing room. This is further augmented by the wry sense of humour injected by Ryan’s grandad who is an ever present one man cheerleader and occasional touch judge.
Jason Walker, the loose head prop, is very busy planning the end of season tour to Lisbon to. play a team of Portuguese and ex-pat Englishmen.
It is limited to 40 players and supporters. It’s so popular that it’s fully subscribed with a waiting list. As well as organising the tour Jason looks after the club’s website and he’s a keen road runner having just completed the Great North Run and the new Poynton road A555 ten kilometre race.
Because they missed a week’s rugby they are all looking forward to visiting Whitchurch next weekend hoping to get back to winning ways.