Barnett Hatrick Edges Out Crewe and Nantwich
Macclesfield WXV started fast with a focus on line speed to put Crewe under pressure, Bex Ward kicked cleverly, turning the Crewe side and forcing errors on a muddy surface. Lou Anderson and Julia Parker were rampaging and carrying hard. Macclesfield were reorganising quickly in defence, the fringe defence was good, forcing errors with Parker, Julia Ashford, Kacie Lawton in the forwards and the centre pairing of Jane Wells and Sophie Barnett preventing any Crewe attacks from developing.
Quick hands from Bex Ward and Wells carved up one opening, which came to nothing, but two minutes later a great line off Wells from Barnett allowed her to score under the posts with captain Mel Bramley converting to make it seven-nil to the away side. The Macclesfield midfield looked dangerous in attack, as was Lucy Wainwright on the wing. Whilst Parker was pouncing on any loose ball on the floor throughout the match.
Lucy Wainwright on her way to scoring
Macclesfield were dominating territory in the first quarter with the Crewe fly-half and playmaker limited to only a couple of line breaks. However, from the one opportunity Crewe had, a scrum midway in the Macclesfield half, the ball was recycled well for Crewe to score in the corner to make the score 5-7. Cover tackling from Lawton and Wells was excellent throughout, forcing errors as Crewe attempted to move the ball wide. Macclesfield quickly pounced on the turnover ball, which was moved to Barnett who outsprinted the cover to score and take the score to 5 -12. From the kick off the ball was dropped, giving the home side an attacking platform quick rucks and quick hands led to Crewe pulling the score back to two points. From that point up to half-time, Macclesfield’s defence was excellent, keeping Crewe pinned in their half until the break.
Macclesfield continued to apply pressure and force errors in deteriorating conditions as the second half began, pushing Crewe back from some astute kicking from Bramley and Ward. From a turnover, Anderson fed Wainwright who sprinted away to score to make the score 10 -17. Crewe looked to attack and Tanni Whalley produced a try-saving tackle. Crewe pressurised through their forwards, the away side were now conceding penalties for offside but again their defence forced errors when Crewe had the chance to score. Crewe finally capitalised off a handling error in the Macclesfield 22 which was compounded by a rare, missed tackle to score to make it 15-17.
Crewe applied pressure in the Macclesfield half but an interception in the 22 led to Bartlett sprinting off to complete her hat trick to take the score to 15 – 24. Crewe came back with a well worked try which was converted to make it 22 -24. With twelve minutes to go the chat behind the posts was all about keeping Crewe pinned in their half and playing composed rugby. With the weather worsening. Macclesfield kept the ball in hand and continued to press with Crewe giving away penalties at the ruck. Crewe attempted to move the ball from their 22 but pressure forced errors and the away side looked to counterattack and continued to apply pressure. Katie McRee and Parker were making yards and Siobhan Arden was making darting runs to pin Crewe back in their 22. Only desperate defence prevented Anderson from scoring. Macclesfield knocked on and from the resulting scrum the Macclesfield pack shoved the home side backwards for Lawton to pick the ball up from the base to score and seal the victory score 22 – 29. A terrific win in grim conditions against a tough Crewe side.
Celebrating the final whistle!
