Wythenshawe 1st XV 0 – Macclesfield 4th XV 74 points.
Wythenshawe Rugby Club is the youngest in the North West, it came into being only 3years ago when a group of parents watching their son’s school team, decided they would like to resume their own playing careers; twelve months later they turned their ambition into reality.
They’re a good bunch of guys, very hospitable and enjoy themselves on and off the pitch, but obviously have a long way to go on the playing front.
Macclesfield turned out a strong side, scoring 12 tries and looking very well co-ordinated. Skipper Jeremy Bostock at prop was delighted; this was their third successive win to move them into the top four in the league.
With seven different try scorers it’s difficult to choose a Man-of-the-Match; last week’s winner of the title, Jack Pearce, had another powerful game, with several strong runs and scoring a try. Jack Nicholson is our top try scorer with 11, this season; he crossed the line twice this week. Others to score two were Ryan Brown, Matt Price and Simon Street whilst Nick Smith, Keiran Merriman and Bostock clocked up one each, Brown converted seven times.
All the players made significant contributions, Paul Smith, the scrum half and Pat Ellis at 12 orchestrated the backs, Rob McLeod on one wing and ‘Mad Dog’ Carl Downes on the other, tackled and covered brilliantly. In the forwards, Mike Dale and Craig Price were rock-solid in the scrums, with guest player Elliot Jones fitting in marvellously as a stand-in hooker, his throwing-in at the line- outs was spot on. Whilst Paul Smith looks very happy in the number 9 shirt, he realises he’s only keeping it warm until Andrew Foster’s knee injury clears up; best wishes Fossie.
It was a sight to see when big Pete Barton came off the bench. Pete used to play for Macc 5 years ago before AZ relocated him to Cambridge, he had returned here for the weekend and remembered to bring his boots.
There were several regulars that weren’t in the side this week: Scott Goodfellow, Jim Welch, Lewis Smith and Jason Walker and the unlucky Rufus Dixon is still on the injured list; when all these men are available we’ll have an extremely strong side and an outstanding bench of substitutes.
Next week Jeremy takes his side to Glossop and hopes that after this week’s huge team effort they will continue their winning run.
