By David Wilkinson
It’s been quite a few years since we had the pleasure of Billingham’s green machine at Priory Park. Back then, their team’s DNA was built around Peter Evans’s Fly Half flair. Evans is now a player-coach and DOR, so it goes without saying that one can expect a very similar game strategy of running rugby. Somewhat different to Hull’s tactics last week. Head Coach Rhys Davies will be well aware of that, as the team prepared for their visitors from Durham on Tuesday and Thursday.
What has been evident this season is Macclesfield’s strength in depth, both in forwards and backs. That strength enables an all-around game strategy that has served them well this season. Saturday sees a few changes to the matchday squad to cover for unavailability, injuries and player rotation. These were some of Davies’s thoughts re the squad: “We’ve made a few rotations and players have come back in. Harry Blackwell isn’t available, so Dan Leake moves up into the Centre. Harry Harding is back, so he regains his spot given his form recently. Sale Sharks have called back Austin Keogh this week, but there should be plenty of opportunities for him to feature during the rest of the season. Sam Adu is rested with a bit of a tweak, and James Oliver has recovered from his warm-up injury from last week.” Other changes include Jennings, Farrell and Winterburn coming back into the squad.
My last game, 2023, looking a bit dumpy
Even with the changes, this is a very strong squad with an excellent bench of finishers. Places for lunch are available if you’re quick. 3.00 pm kick-off, so get there early to grab a seat. It will also be Wilkey’s last stand. The following Saturday, I travel to Nepal to climb a 20,500-foot Himalayan mountain, and with other commitments (the man in the red suit), I won’t be around until January. This gives a great opportunity for me to retire the Whaa-Hoo machine and pen! After 15 years, it’s time for a change. The squad is: 1. Hulbert, 2. Longmore, 3. Darlington, 4. Boughey, 5. Harding, 6. Hughes, 7. Townsend 8. J Oliver (Captain), 9. Milan, 10. Shone, 11. M Shute, 12. H Oliver, 13. Leake, 14. Jennings, 15. S Shute, 16. Percival, 17. Blackburn, 18. Talbot, 19. Farrell, 20. Winterburn.
