Uplifting victory
Macclesfield 33 Hinckley 21- Ben Jaycock
MACCLESFIELD ............ 33 HINCKLEY ...................... 21
MARSHALL Gadd’s Macclesfield secured a huge bonus-point 33-21 win over Hinckley to move off the bottom of the table and take a major step towards safety.
Hinckley are still without a win away since September as their poor record away from home continues.
Hinckley started the better of the two sides as they dominated both possession and territory, playing much of the game’s opening 10 minutes in Macc’s 22.
Despite resilient defending by Macc, their defensive line was eventually broken as Hinckley full-back Joseph Wilson broke through the middle to get the game’s first try. Wilson then converted his own try to give his side an early 7-0 lead.
But Macc responded well and got into the game with some of their own territory and possession.
Then Macc looked destined to score in the corner, after great hands by the backline created space for a try but unfortunately the ball was dropped just before the line.
Eventually, Macc’s pressure was rewarded as they scored a try through Sam Parry. Brilliant backline and link up play by Tom Morton and Jordan Davies allowed Parry space in the corner to score. Morton missed the difficult conversion.
Soon after, Macc were ahead as Sam Broster made a great break and he offloaded it to Parry who then got his second of the day with an excellent finish. This time Morton scored the conversion.
However, the lead didn’t last long and just a couple minutes later Hinckley were back in front.
Hinckley won a penalty on halfway and kicked to the corner for a lineout deep in Macc’s 22. The lineout was mauled, and Hinckley’s pack overpowered Macc’s to get over the line and Gareth Turner scored.
Wilson then converted the try to give the away side a two-point lead.
But it was Macc who went into the half time break leading after Harry Blackwell scored after another great backline move. Morton then converted the try.
Macc started the second half as they ended the first as they dominated the game and added to their lead through two quickfire penalties from skipper Morton.
Star man Josh Redfern then got on the scoresheet as he charged down and blocked a kick and he was quickest to react to the loose ball and outpaced everyone to score in the corner, Morton then just missed the difficult conversion.
Morton then scored another penalty to put Macc out of sight.
Hinckley then scored a late consolation penalty try for wheeling the scrum but nevertheless Macc were comfortable winners.
Head coach Marshall Gadd said: ‘ We did the basics really well, we won the collisions and we stayed on the front foot and that allowed us to play.
‘All credit to the boys, we learnt from last weeks mistakes and we fronted up second half and we grounded out a decent win.
‘It was a complete performance 1 to 20, the boys who came off the bench made an impact and matched the intensity on the pitch.’
Speaking about next week’s game away at Hull Lonians, Gadd said: ‘Any team is beatable on their day. The momentum is with us and we just need to replicate this performance away at Hull next week.’