In a cold, wet and fiercely competitive game in which both sides took turns in taking the lead, the Blues did fantastically well to grind out a result and take the four points.
Mid-table side Wharfedale arrived at Macclesfield after having beaten Rosslyn Park 33 – 24 in their last game, and to put four tries past the 2nd-placed side is no mean feat.
So it was always going to be a difficult game, and considering the side had three yellow cards throughout the match, it showed just how much the Blues want to get back to winning ways.
It was an impressive team performance, as set pieces were looking sharper and the defence looked stronger.
100% accuracy of kicks for fly-half Tom Eaton showed how much he’s improved as a player this season, while centres Elliot Brierley and Matt O’Regan continue to be a thorn in the opposition’s side week-in week-out.
It was also good to see Billy Robinson make his first start to the season after making several appearances for the 2’s on his recovery from injury; it was a big step up to return straight to the starting 15 for the prop.
However, despite the yellow card, the towering presence was invaluable in the scrummage and only made a few errors throughout the match.
Mike Finnemore also returned from injury, the youngster fitting into Head Coach Geoff Wappett’s starting line-up with ease and impressing when he can shake his niggling injury worries.
The Blues head to Old Albanian next week, the recently promoted side doing well so far this season, sitting in seventh place.
The side from Hertfordshire have done well to grind out seven wins so far this season; in particular they pulled off a shock 31-25 win against Ealing back in November.
However, despite the side doing well going forward and scoring tries, it is clear from their list of results that they have problems with defending.
They are in the strange position of having 0 goal difference, after having scored and conceded 395 points so far this season.
Macclesfield will have to watch out for their clinical back-line and look to secure back-to-back wins for the first time this season.
Old Albanians came up short against Rosslyn Park on Saturday, after losing 36-19. Ealing also picked up a win against Cinderford to keep them ahead of Park at the top of the table.
Meanwhile Cambridge put six tries past Sedgley Tigers as they won 52-17, their first win in eight matches.
Loughborough Students enjoyed a narrow 11-9 victory away at Fylde, with Blaydon also winning away at Coventry.
Tynedale and Richmond also struggled at home this weekend. Blackheath beat Richmond 30-21 while Tynedale lost 26-29 against Esher.
Elsewhere in the club there were only two other fixtures that were played out, as the 3s, 4s and Vets all went without a match this weekend.
The Lions enjoyed a 28 – 10 victory against Burnage as they continue to climb up the table. The 2s now sit in 3rd place, just three points behind Caldy and Preston Grasshoppers in 1st and 2nd place.
Lions coach Paul Bartle said: “It was a decent performance but we will need to be better for the second half of the season in the top league.”
The Senior Colts unfortunately missed out against Wirral, the score 42-17 at the final whistle.
