The women’s team started their season off on Sunday, in round one of the RFU Junior Community Cup. A short trip over to Crewe and Nantwich for the first of three matches this season, as both teams are in the same NC 2 league. Crewe dropped down from NC 1 after what looked to be a tough campaign last season.
The match gave Macclesfield the opportunity to see where they were after a productive pre-season training and after a good run out recently against a very strong touring Chicago district XV. Coach Paul Jakubowski commented prior to the match, “This season should prove to be very challenging as we play well-established teams over the year. However, the progress of the team over the last two seasons has been excellent, and we are nowhere near fulfilling our potential. It should be a very exciting season and the team is excited to play in a cup match in a first hit out”. The team welcomed back Katie McCree after a season out through injury, and there are debuts for Evie Foster at prop and Lucy Wainwright on the wing.
Macclesfield started the game quickly in perfect conditions. Quick ruck ball was distributed to Jas Wilson, who looked to break and bring Chloe Newbigging and Sophie Barnett into the game. Support from the forwards, particularly from the back row of Julia Ashford, Kacie Lawton and Sarah Naden, was excellent, be it moving the ball wide or producing quick ruck ball. Foster, Mandy Rosser and Liz Jarratt were punching holes in the Crewe defence and within ten minutes, Newbigging had scored twice from two assists from fly-half Wilson, captain Mel Bramley converting both scores.
Flanker Katie Lawton on the charge
Crewe replied, and after a series of quick ruck moves, the ball was wide to score in the corner.
From the restart, the away side put Crewe under pressure, forcing them to knock on from the resulting scrum. Quick hands allowed Newbigging to score her third try of the afternoon. Macclesfield continued to punch holes with notable runs from Lou Anderson and Emma Lawton, and eventually Naden crashed through several defenders to score, which Bramley converted.
Macclesfield really should have gone into half-time without conceding any more tries, but a series of errors and giving away several penalties allowed Crewe to score, which went unconverted. Macclesfield went into half-time with a 26-10 lead.
The second half began with Crewe exerting pressure on the away team, with the away side giving penalties in their own 22. Crewe became very direct with effective rucking and an excellent pick and go game, and scored two converted tries to 26-24. The weather conditions had changed dramatically, and in pouring rain, Macclesfield looked to move the ball wide, slowing Newbigging to score her fourth try of the day to make the 33-29. Annie James looked dangerous when counterattacking from loose Crewe kicks.
Crewe came back using their pack and substitutes effectively, and playing the conditions more effectively than Macclesfield. Both sides were desperate in attack and in defence, and after prolonged pressure, Crewe scored to take the lead. Macclesfield managed to gain possession from the restart, but after some good continuity, knocked forward to lose the game by three points, 33-36. “Full back Annie James commented It was a competitive match against a well-structured side, our defence was strong from start to finish, and our attack provided the same pressure for Crewe to defend. We were proud to welcome two new players making their debuts for Macclesfield this weekend and can’t wait to return to the pitch next week, travelling over to Didsbury Toch H!” Team manager Liz Jarratt, who had an excellent game at hooker, added, “It was fantastic to be back out on the pitch after all our pre-season training. We knew this would be a challenging game, especially with low numbers, but we defended hard and communicated really well on the pitch to keep the scoreline close. A really positive start to our season and brilliant to have players returning from injury, players who’ve joined us over the summer and brand new players all taking to the pitch in a Macc jersey and slotting straight in.”
