Macclesfield women’s team entered league action for the first time this season on Saturday. Having been promoted last season into NC 2. The side created a little bit of history as this is the highest league the women’s section has ever competed in.
The team travelled the short distance to Didsbury Toc Heaton, who had dropped down from NC 1 at the end of last season.
The home side had recruited well over the summer and were well organised and efficient in all aspects of their game. Macclesfield looked to attack from the off in appalling rain and we’re well marshalled by captain Mel Bramley, leading an inexperienced back line. The away side had much of the possession in the first half, with the back row of Julia Ashford, Sarah Naden and Lou Anderson making good runs and destructive tackles.
Ria Horsley at fullback was making use of the space afforded to her to counterattack. Annie James left the field after twenty minutes to be replaced by debutant Siobhan Arden who had an excellent game at scrum half. Despite the amount of pressure exerted by Macclesfield. Didsbury broke away to score against the run of play, which was converted to put the home side into a 7-0 lead.
Both teams attempted to play creative rugby in monsoon conditions, and much of the play took place in the midfield, with unsurprising handling errors due to the weather preventing any continuity of play. After 20 minutes, some controlled rucking in the Macclesfield 22 eventually led to the home side scoring their second try of the half, which went unconverted. Macclesfield responded and looked to break through the back row and through Katie Lawton at centre, but were unable to break down a determined Didsbury defence. Half-time Didsbury 12 – Macclesfield 0.
The weather did neither side any favours as it continued to deteriorate. Macclesfield dominated possession and territory, Didsbury were excellent in defence and prevented line breaks from turning into potential try scoring opportunities and holding on to the ball was becoming increasingly difficult for both sides. James returned to inside centre as the team was rejigged, with the excellent Evie Foster forced off at half-time. James was always threatening, as were Horsley and Lucy Wainwright on the wing. However, the home side’s defence again prevented their efforts from turning into something more. Again against the run of play, Didsbury scored to further increase their advantage to 17 points after 40 minutes. The last quarter saw wave after wave of Macclesfield pressure, with Ashford denied a score, Katie Mcree being held up over the line, and Sarah Nader being brought just short of the tryline. If anything, the willingness to attack narrow led to a failure to look out wide where space had been created, and the potential to score went begging. However, in defeat, this was an excellent performance against a strong team that had played at a higher level the previous season.
Team manager Liz Jarratt commented, “The monsoon didn’t dampen our spirits and we battled hard against an experienced and athletic Didsbury side. Gutted we couldn’t get over the line but extremely proud of the whole team for never giving up and giving the opposition a hard time throughout the 80 minutes.” While Captain Mel Bramley added, “A competitive game played in tough weather conditions. The defensive work was outstanding, but we just couldn’t find the final pass to get across the line. The whole team stepped up with several playing in unfamiliar positions and two players making their debuts. We are looking forward to a weekend off as we head to the Rugby World Cup Final next weekend before our first home game on October 12th against Crewe.”
