Another valuable five-point haul keeps Macclesfield RUFC firmly in 3rd place in the league, just one point behind Tynedale RFC, who Macc face away on 14th March in what promises to be a crucial encounter.
After an unscheduled weekend off, Macc started slowly on a sticky pitch. An early try from Harry Blackwell after just four minutes suggested a fast start, but it took another 28 minutes before the scoreboard moved again. Once it did, Macc cut loose, scoring three tries in a devastating seven-minute spell, two of them finished smartly by Sam Adu on the right wing.
The standout moment of the half came on 36 minutes, when Harry Hughes charged 50 metres down the right touchline to score in the corner. Sam Adu added his second shortly after, sending Macc into the break with a commanding 24–0 lead.
As ever, the Macc scrum proved dominant. The lineout showed improvement from the previous outing, though occasional lapses remain an area for review.
The second half saw Macc outscore Scunthorpe RUFC by four tries to three. Tries from Samson Shute (2) and returning scrum-half Alex Davies (2 in the space of three minutes) kept the scoreboard ticking over, with Harry Oliver’s accurate boot adding the extras.
In the final quarter, Macc eased off slightly, allowing Scunthorpe more possession inside the Macc 22 and three late consolation tries. However, by that stage the contest was well beyond doubt, and Macc closed out a deserved 50–19 victory.
Both scrum halves impressed, and it was particularly pleasing to see Alex Davies make such an immediate impact on his return. Three players crossed for a brace, Sam Adu, Samson Shute and Alex Davies, underlining the depth of attacking threat.
Man of the Match went to Ted Broadley, selected by club sponsor Michael Chapman in the absence of John Inverdale, while the Players’ Man of the Match was Louis Townsend.
Director of Rugby – Matt Coleridge
“It was an interesting proposition today. We’d had a good result away at Scunthorpe earlier in the season and although they’ve been bottom for much of the campaign, their recent results show they’re no mugs. Mentally, it was important our players got themselves in the right place, and I think they did.
We were sluggish early on after the unscheduled rest week, and the pitch didn’t help, it was stodgy and scrappy at times but we stayed professional and grew into the game, showing real fluidity in patches of both halves.
There are still things for us to look at, but I was delighted with both scrum halves, great to have Alex Davies back home, and Ted Broadley was excellent at hooker on a well-earned start.
The next block sees us playing the top two in the league. This is the business end of the season, make or break, do or die, but we relish those fixtures and welcome the pressure.”
Next up, Macc travel away to Tynedale RFC on 14th March, before returning to Priory Park on 21st March.
That home fixture also sees the club host its Annual Ladies Lunch, which is now sold out.
For those not attending the Ladies Lunch, a limited-capacity lunch will be available in the Spiral. Places are restricted, so please secure your tickets early to avoid disappointment.
