By David Wilkinson
Hash-Tag Conquering Cumbria (Part I), this is the watch-word, and two-match slogan amongst the squad. It is evident that the Coaches and players are taking the challenge of Kendal, at home, as serious as the challenges against Rossendale and Blackburn. Statistically Macclesfield hold all of the cards, they have never lost to Kendal, and they have not lost away from home for 14 months. Due to frozen pitches this year’s contest at Priory Park was twice postponed, finally resulting in a win for Macclesfield, a mere four weeks ago. We were very lethargic then, following on from the battle against Rossendale, but still managed a win of 38 – 22. The Kendal team have lost their last five games, whilst Macclesfield come off their best win of the season; that said, they will still be concerned about the 22 points shipped against the Cumbrians last month.
Talking to Head Coach, Darren Lamond, after Thursday night’s training, it was evident that there will be no lethargy this time. These were some of his thoughts: “Well we have no worries about our game, but we know that Kendal will go at us, it’s a big day for them, and their last game of the season. It was a tough contest last time, and they took us closer than any other team for our home win, they have a strong pack, and we will respect that. We have a new Centre partnership, with Harry Blackwell back from a week away, bookended by a very fast back three and the usual half-backs. It’s the same pack, they know about the forward challenge and are prepared to respond to whatever comes at us, and keep the consistency upfront. Once again selection has been very difficult, as it has been all season, with players missing out when they’ve done absolutely nothing wrong”.
The changes from last week are Harry Oliver who is out after a freak training ground injury and Tom Jennings (travelling reserve), with Charlie Attis joining the bench. The good news this week is that Brendan Berry does not need an operation on his injured knee, from the Rossendale game, and he’s hopeful to be fit for pre season training, likewise with Seb Pemberton, who has been out all season. As the season comes to a close we hopefully think of rugby in National Two North, and travelling back to the likes of Tynedale, Hull and other far-flung grounds. The coach journeys will be many and we are hatching sponsorship opportunities to cover these expenses, if you or you know of someone, that would like to be involved please contact the Club.
Kick-off at Mint Bridge is 3.00pm, if you’re travelling up please wear some Club colours and be as loud as you like, as the day is being filmed by a television crew for the RFU. The team is: 1. Dan Percival, 2. Ollie Longmore, 3. Samir Tahraoui, 4. Rhys Davies, 5. Harry Harding, 6. Elliot Alston 7. Tom Burden, 8. James Oliver – Captain, 9. Dan Martin, 10. Tom Morton, 11. Jamie Harrison, 12. Terence Babarinsa, 13. Harry Blackwell, 14. Sam Adu, 15. John O’Donnell, 16. James Cross, 17. Phil Laing, 18. Charlie Attis, TR. Tom Jennings.
