Ryan Parkinson scored a hat trick to help the Blues to an 11 – 27 win over Otley at Cross Green on Saturday.
Otley opened the scoring in the very early stages of the game with a penalty before Parkinson scored his first try to put Macclesfield in the ascendency.
The away side earned a penalty and captain Tom Eaton put them right in to the Otley 22. After a number of strong phases from the Blues, the back rower found himself diving over from close range.
Minutes later the hosts regained the lead through another penalty. However as quickly as the Blues had surrendered the lead, they regained it. This time it was winger Matt King who gave the Blues the lead. The hosts failed to secure the kick off and from the resulting scrum King found himself in space down the blind side and pinned his ears back to cross for a five pointer.
Midway through the first half the visitors could have been out of sight but they had two tries wiped out. Mike Finnemore hacked through and grounded the ball over the line but it was called back for a knock on. Then minutes later winger Ed Stobart went close out wide but was forced into touch.
Parkinson, who was playing out of his usual position at number eight, scored his second on the half hour mark when the pack pushed over from a fiver metre scrum, all he had to do was drop on it over the line. That score gave Macc a 6 – 15 lead at the half.
Early in the second half Parkinson wrapped up his hat trick and the bonus point. Once again the Blues pack showed why they are a force to be reckoned with and got the driving maul rumbling and carried Parkinson over for his 13th try of the season.
10 minutes into the second half Stobart was given a yellow card for a high tackle and Otley made the extra man count when Harry Hudson struck back with a try to bring his side back into the game.
But their optimism was misplaced and Elliot Brierley scored a lovely set piece move to secure the win for the Blues with 10 minutes to go, the final score was 11 – 27.
This was a good win and an equally as impressive performance from a Macclesfield team eager to put last weeks defeat behind them. The Blues were rarely under pressure from their hosts and dominated in terms of territory and possession.
The win keeps them top of National Two North with Stourbridge still hot on their heels, one point behind.
Next weeks opponents, Caldy, comfortably beat Birmingham & Solihull 39 – 3 so they will be in high spirits when they arrive at Priory Park this weekend. The big tie of the round is Darlington Mowden Park against Stourbridge, a game that could have a big impact on the season and the Blues will be looking for a favour from their friends in the north.
Elsewhere in the club, The Lions beat Wilmslow 57 – 12 at Priory Park, which is also where the third team beat Crewe & Nantwich 40 – 10. The fourth team came agonsingly close against Broughton Park but lost 19 – 18.
