Wilmslow Festival 26^th April 2009

On a sunny Sunday morning Macclesfield’s 1^st team headed over to Wilmslow for the annual festival and their last matches of the season.

As is traditional with this festival the boys were drawn in a tough pool against Greystones A (a touring side from Dublin), Chester and Ashton on Mersey.

Pool Match 1 vs. Greystones

As we expected Greystones were a strong team and both teams seemed equally matched in defence.  Despite an intercept from Sam Worthington and some great ripping from Simon Ridgeway the first half ended without a score from either team.

Macclesfield came out just as determined in the second half and when Greystones were penalised for being off side Jamie Dunkerley made it over the line to score.  Some excellent scrummaging  saw Macclesfield win the ball off the Greystones put in but a second try just couldn’t be scored.

Final Score Macclesfield 1 – Greystones 0

Pool Match 2 vs. Chester

This match was played on a smaller pitch which doesn’t always suit the Macclesfield boys but this time it didn’t deter them and they put pressure on Chester from the outset and superb team play with good support, tackles and off loads saw 4 tries scored in the first half by Ollie Wheelton, Charlie Posniak and Callum Leonard (2).

The second half was no different with Chester not seeming to get into the game as we have seen in past encounters and a further 4 tries were scored by Harri Dickinson, Charlie Posniak (2) and Matty Joyce.

Final Score Macclesfield 8 – Chester 0

Pool Match 3 vs. Ashton on Mersey

A win in this match secured our place in the semi final and the boys did not disappoint.  Ashton fought hard to keep us from scoring but once more fantastic team play saw Callum Leonard score try number one, closely followed by Jamie Dunkerley who ran half the pitch to score.  Sam Worthington then stole the ball from a ruck and score number three.  A great driving run from Sam saw him get his second try and Macclesfield’s fourth.  Try number five came from Owen Thomas just before the half time whistle.

The second half was a repeat performance with Charlie Posniak running in two tries.  Jamie Dunkerley and Harri Dickinson added two more.

Final Score Macclesfield 9 – Ashton on Mersey 0

Semi Final vs. Altrincham Kersal

The semi final saw us playing Altrincham Kersal who won Pool D.  Having played and beaten them at the Cheshire Cup Quarter Final this was going to be a close match and AK were going to be looking for a win.

Both teams came out all guns blazing and AK made it over the line to score the first try of the match.  Macclesfield didn’t let their game falter and despite some powerful defence from AK tries from Jamie Dunkerley, James Scott and Sam Worthington took our score to 3.  Again our defence was strong and AK failed to score any more tries.

Final Score Macclesfield 3 – Altrincham Kersal 1

Final vs. York A

York A beat Wilmslow in the other semi final to meet Macclesfield in the final.

York were a strong team and the boys had to work hard to hold them at bay.  Our defence was strong but unfortunately not strong enough and York made it over the line to take the lead.  The intensity of the match was apparent with several boys leaving the pitch injured and most of our replacements being used.  Macclesfield pressed on but despite every effort were unable to score an equaliser.  In the last minute of the second half York scored again.

Final Score Macclesfield 0 – York A 2

The team can be proud of their achievements both at the Festival and throughout the season.  Based on the match reports and stats that were gathered this is how the season has ended:

34 matches were played this season with only 3 resulting in a loss and 14 tries conceded. 

Trophies Won :

U10 Cheshire Cup

U10 Merchant Steel Cup

U10 Manchester Festival