The Women’s team hosted Ormskirk on Sunday, an unseasonally warm and sunny day at Priory Park. With several players resting due to injuries, the fixture allowed new players to be brought into the team and some new combinations tried out as well as giving much-needed game time to squad members. An enjoyable encounter with three standout moments: the first time the Club had seen a mum and daughter play in a match together, a classy hat trick from Laura Adam, and a crowd eruption as Mandy Rosser scored in the second half!
Captain Mel Bramley reflected on the performance: “This was another excellent result. It reflected the strength that we have across the squad with two more players appearing competitively for the first time. We are playing some exciting rugby, and it is brilliant to see tries being scored from across the team. We should feel confident going into the final games of the season and proud of what we have achieved to this point.”
The team started fast, with quick hands from both forwards and backs allowing Ria Horsley and Annie James to score within five minutes, the second try being converted by captain Mel Bramley. From the kick-off, the ball was gathered, taken into contact, and quickly recycled to allow Pip Wyer to score, which again was converted by Bramley. Macclesfield was in complete control, and the supporting runs from the back row and some quick passes allowed Lou Anderson to score, with Bramley adding the extras to make the score 26 – 0. The back row of Julia Ashford, Hannah Green, and Anderson were excellent in their support play and tackling throughout the match, which has been a feature throughout the season.
Mandy Rosser charging her way through Ormskirk to score
The coaches now started to rotate players, and history was made with Emma Lawton and daughter Kacie running on to the pitch to be the first Mum and daughter to play for the club, much to the delight of the supporting crowd. The coaches continued to rotate players with Maria McMaster making her debut, and it was really pleasing to see that the style of play was not affected with Bramley scoring, followed by Wyer with her second, Bramley adding the extras to put the home side into a commanding lead.
Kacie Lawton scored an excellent try on her debut to make the score 45 – 0 after 30 minutes. Ormskirk to their credit, had competed well all afternoon but had struggled with the pace and skills of Macclesfield. When they did get some possession, they looked after the ball and created a well-worked try to make the score 45 – 5 at half time.
The second half followed a similar pattern to the first. Horsley and Lara Taylor looked dangerous when they got the ball in hands as did Tanni Whalley and Paige Stubbs. Lawton junior had now moved to flanker from the wing and did not look out of place in that position. Bramley and Bex Ward continued to orchestrate proceedings at half back with James looking composed when she replaced the captain at scrum half. Hannah Green scored an excellent try, which was converted.
Sarah Naden charging through ball in hand
Alex Wilson, Emma Lawton, Caz Kelly and player Manager Liz Jarratt made some excellent runs, with Jarratt unlucky not to score again this week. Then fifteen minutes into the second half, Macclesfield produced some quick ruck ball in the Ormskirk half which allowed Mandy Rosser to hit the most perfect of lines, fend off the defence and charge some 20 meters (or was it 40!) to score with players and supporters erupting in astonishment, joy and delight! Bex Ward adding the extra two points.
The heat was now influencing the performance of both teams, however, Macclesfield dealt with it well. Adam made a great break from the Macclesfield 22 to score after Annie James spotted some space on the stand side of the ground, with Ward converting. Sarah Naden, back after injury, scored through a trademark break, and then Adam completed the scoring to earn a well-deserved hat trick, with Ward converting to conclude the tie. Coach Simon Dempsey on Sunday’s performance: “It was apparent from the kick that we were a little too strong for the opposition, so this was an ideal opportunity to rotate players in different positions during the game. With continual rotations, it can make it slightly harder for players to settle into the match, adjusting to new roles, however, it also shows the team’s adaptability and strength in depth to still maintain such a high standard throughout the entire game.”
The teams next home match will be a local derby with Stockport on Sunday 23rd March at 3.00pm.
