By David Wilkinson
Rather than dipping into the northern pot, our Director of Rugby, Matt Coleridge, has been busy, teasing out some talented young players from our neighbouring Staffordshire clubs, to bolster the squad this season. Three young players from Stoke-on-Trent start on Saturday: Cian Shone at 10, with brothers Manu and Sampson Shute on the wings. On the bench, Prop Tom Gardiner joins from Stockport, with other new squad players starting for the second team on Saturday: Kyle Smith, a Loosehead Prop that joins Macc from Sheffield Tigers; Johnson Chandigeri, a Hooker/Prop from Caldy, and James Milan, a Scrum Half from Burton; with Back Row Forward Bradley Greene making his senior debut following his pathway through from the Colts.
The coaching team welcomes back the enigmatic Darren Lamon. Darren took a year out last season with his young family, but has returned, champing at the bit, with a defensive remit. Ollie Longmore and Tom Morton will be looking after forwards and backs, with Head Coach Rhys Davies ensuring that everything clicks. Rhys had a beaming smile on his face when I reminded him of Macclesfield’s performance against Camborne in the last game of the season: “Yes, it would be great to continue that form into Saturday’s performance, but we don’t know what Sheffield Tigers will bring to Priory Park. The squad has worked hard in the close-season, and we wait to see how competitive we will be in National 2 North.”
Head Coach Rhys Davies after Thursday night training
Macclesfield are without Ben Blackburn on Saturday, and it is already apparent that positions in the pack this season are going to be very competitive. The backline is full of pace, so Saturday’s team should be exciting to watch. The game is preceded by the Past Players’ Lunch, so arrive early to secure your seat in the Stand. For me, it will be one of my last games in charge of the mic and the ‘Whaa-Hoo’ machine. I’m off to the Himalayas in October as part of a small expedition to climb 20,226’, Imja Tse (Island Peak). Wish me luck, I’ll be trying to raise funds for Dementia UK. My bivouac before the summit is likely to be -20 degrees, and I will be wearing my big, thick socks. Please give a little if you can: David Wilkinson is fundraising for Dementia UK .
The squad for Saturday is: 1. Theo Hulbert, 2. Ollie Longmore, 3. Andrew Darlington, 4. Harry Harding, 5. George Boughey, 6. Harry Hughes, 7. Toby Talbot, 8. James Oliver, 9. Danny Martin, 10. Cian Shone, 11. Manu Shute, 12. Harry Blackwell, 13. Harry Oliver, 14. Sampson Shute, 15. Tom Jennings, 16. Ted Broadley, 17. Dan Percival, 18. Tom Gardner, 19. Charlie Attis, 20, Phil Laing.
