Weather wins at Priory Park
THE Macclesfield faithful will have been disappointed to read the news on Saturday morning that all games at Priory Park were cancelled.
Even though a few tonnes of sand had been spread onto the already very soggy pitch, the damage had already been done.
A 9am pitch inspection by the referee confirmed that the pitch was un playable; the February storms and a night of more rain had robbed us of any rugby at Priory Park.
The pre-match lunch still went ahead and 80 members and guests enjoyed wonderful hospitality.
Afterwards club chairman Stephen Branch responded to Q&A session from MC David Wilkinson. On the questions of Leadership, Teamship and Partnership, the Chairman told the assembly of the members that had stepped forward to lead the various initiatives at the Club pulling everyone together to help achieve our objectives; and to exist not just for the four senior teams but to include all age groups from Under 6 through every year, the juniors and Colts as well as the newly formed Women’s Section.
He went on to talk about future developments including more floodlighting and the creation of more playing surfaces.
Later in the day it was learnt that leaders Blaydon had succumbed to Sandal 51-5, Sandal swapping places with Macclesfield, fifth to third. With a game in hand Macclesfield still has the opportunity of a grandstand finish to the end of the season with; but there are another six games to go before then, starting next Saturday at the furthest northern rugby club playing in England, Alnwick.
On Sunday two of the Club’s junior players progressed their careers being capped for Lancashire against Yorkshire on Keithly’s artificial pitch.
These two outstanding Junior Colts qualify for Lancs because both attend Myerscough College, Preston.
They have been coached all the way at MRUFC from U6 through to U17, a credit to the Club and the coaches.
Whilst they went down, in a close encounter 29-22, Max playing at seven scored the first try and number 12 Louis tackled hard all day.
Pete Langley 2nd team Coach and Manager says the team are very well placed in Conference B.
His stand-out performers have been Giles Heatherington and Peter Milne, Captain Sam Jones is making good calls keeping the side motivated allowing no complacency to creep in.
Langley did say injuries to Pete Hardwick, James Cross and Dom Sherratt had hampered development, but Tom Leicester, James Brocklehurst and the two Harrys, Grant and King had been more than adequate replacements, stepping up from the thirds.
Pete says he is delighted with the team: “The forwards always look good, their line out drills and forceful scrummaging make them a formidable combination”.
He’s very positive about our chances of heading this division at the end of the season.
He also loves the university boys returning to the fold at vacation times, this keeps them in touch with the Club and if they don’t necessarily return to the Macclesfield locality they will continue their rugby enjoyment wherever they choose to live.
Third Team Manager Simon Grant has an infectious optimism, but he acknowledges the often difficult position of the third team; the seconds are an ambitious squad who wish to maximise their success and such can often call on his players; furthermore Granty wants his players to move to a higher standard of rugby.
The fourth team is a sociable set up whereby their players enjoy that standard without the pressures of being promoted to the thirds.
This means Simon is often struggling to field a team with substitutes however he has fulfilled all their fixtures and managed some outstanding victories, in itself a triumph as he’s usually struggling on a Friday night and Saturday morning when one or two of his men cry off.
The team always plays with great spirit and determination; the forwards again well organised and the backs playing their own, fast, Barbarians style of rugby.
The fourth team squad shows great teamwork and togetherness, and are playing some wonderful stuff. It all starts with a big set of forwards that dominate most other packs, securing the ball for the backs to run well with it in hand. They have won all their games in 2020, and they are in their own cup competition semi final on April 4th. They hope to have a good following when they are against Preston Grasshoppers away.
JUNIOR DIARY DATES NEXT Friday 6th March at Priory Park, 6.30 kick-off: Macclesfield Under 14 v Stockport Under 14s, floodlit game.
SUNDAY 15th March again Priory Park 11.00 kick-off: Under 17 Junior Colts v Stockport Under 17 in the Cheshire cup semi final.
Senior members please come and support the next generation, the boys love big crowds, full bar and catering open.