Aldwinians have a simple and effective game plan, A strong physical well-drilled set off forwards playing off their 9 rucking and mauling and pick and goes were the opponents’ strengths.
Aldwinians started strongly with the game plan that the home side knew they would bring, however when Macclesfield attacked, they look dangerous with ball in and soon took the lead with Sophie Barnett scoring and captain Mel Bramley adding the extra two points. Macclesfield were defending resolutely but were giving away penalties and Kacie Lawton received a yellow card as the team frequently infringed. Aldwinians played to their strengths and eventually scored but missed the conversion. Aldwinians continued with a forward dominating game plan whilst Macclesfield looked to move the ball wide with Pip Wyer scooting through to score and captain Bramley adding the extras.
Aldwinians fought back and scored through their pack then Annie Mitchell was put into space and ran from her own 22 to score with the captain converting to make the score 21- 10 to the home side. Aldwainians continued to drive using their forward and despite some furious tackling from both forwards and backs the pressure told and the away side scored to make it 21 -15 at half time.
The second half followed a similar vain with Macclesfield looking to go wide allowing Lucy Wainwright to score. Macclesfield were under pressure from the away team pack and the result of giving away several penalties was a yellow card for Julia Parker for not rolling away. Macclesfield Responded with Bramley kicking intelligently in to space for Barnett to kick ahead gather and score to make it 31 – 20 with 15 minutes to go. Aldwinians scored again using the strength of their forwards to close the gap to six points, Aldwinians heads were up and some desperate defending forced a knock on. Macclesfield went down the blind side deep in their own half with quick hands from Jane Wells give Marie McMaster a long sprint to score and seal a deserved win. The captain casually converted to make the final score 38-25.
McMaster on her way to sealing the win
