The Blues returned to winning ways last weekend with a 12-32 win away at South Leicester in tricky conditions. Players and staff admitted after the game it was by no means pretty, or the performance they had hoped for but it was great to be back on the pitch after two weeks of enforced down time.
Head Coach, Giles Heagerty admitted he expected some rust to creep in, but there were plenty of positives to take from the game.
“We made it clear after the game that sometimes you have to go and win ugly, our last 20 minutes was very average in comparison to the first 20 minutes where we played some fantastic rugby, and really showed what we had worked on in the week’s practice.”
It has now been over a month since The Blues last ran out at home, and Giles felt that his players were looking forward to running out at Priory Park once again.
“It’s always great being at home, we consistently get great support. Tynedale will be a hard game, we know them very well. They’ve had a mixed season, and a bit of a rough time of it recently with the bad weather, so it’ll be nice to catch up with them and share a drink after the game. I’m sure it’ll be a great game of rugby too.”
Tom Eaton added;
“I’m desperate to play on a flat track that you’re not up to your knees in mud. We’ve got an exciting set of backs. Lads like Charlie Venables will raise some eyebrows on a dry pitch, he’s looking really sharp. I’ve never seen anything like the amount of rain we’ve had so hopefully it’ll be a different story when the pitches dry out.”
Tynedale seem to be finding some form after a tough start to the season, and come into tomorrow’s fixture off the back of a good win at home to Sale FC last weekend. On Tuesday, Tyne appointed a new Head of Rugby, Scott Lawson, former Scotland international hooker capped 46 times (therefore naturally a bit of a hero of mine). The Lanark born front rower is on Newcastle Falcons books and continues to combine playing with the Falcons and coaching at Tynedale.
The two sides clashed in the north east, way back at the start of October, with The Blues running out 47-20 winners, could tomorrow prove a tougher test?
Macclesfield team to play Tynedale