Fourth’s rewarded for helping hand

WHITCHURCH 3RD ....... 7 MACCLESFIELD 4TH... 22

THE fourth team lent the club’s third team eight players in order that they wouldn’t be forced to cancel their game for the third time this season and thus forfeit their place in the league.

Great appreciation to especially Jeremy Bostock for using all his contacts to enlist players. Captain Ryan Brown was lavish in his praise for Boz’s efforts.

Indeed so parlous was the side that Paul Smith co-opted Irishman Michael Moore in the pub on Friday night. As it happened it was an excellent introduction because Moore scored two tries and had a wonderful all round game.

Macclesfield’s pack of forwards outplayed Whitchurch, the front row of Bostock, Rufus Dixon and Jim Welch managed to win four of the opposition scrummages feeds, a great feat in this era when scrum halves are allowed to feed the put ins on a crooked line.

During the first half Whitchurch had actually managed to get the ball across the try line but Bostock insinuated himself underneath the ball carrier to prevent the grounding.

Matt Price at breakaway was man of the match, covering the field so well, leaping brilliantly in the lines out, another set piece which they dominated. He touched down when a line out on the 22 became a running maul to result in an excellent forward’s score.

But Price had two rivals for that honour, Mark Marsh at fly half kept the back line moving up the pitch all game, he had brilliantly speedy accurate service from scrum half Smith so the other three tries were all scored by the wingers following dexterous passing. Ben Higginbotham at 12 this week paired with Aled Williamson set up Ryan Brown to run from his own half, he handed off two tacklers and side stepped his way in for the opening try.

Full back this week Reese Wilkinson had a brilliant fourth team debut. He’s 17 and officially still a Colt, but his positional play was immaculate, with good kicking from hand, a converted try and speed around the field.

At times the match degenerated into a slugging match, sometimes a bit of handbags, but occasionally more serious.

Whitchurch became frustrated and their forwards took on Macclesfield at Queensbury rules – a mistake as their visitors included Troy Crocker, Jim Leighton and Simon Street, all thee can definitely look after themselves when required.