MACCLESFIELD 13pts
TYNEDALE 19pts.
In spite of a gargantuan effort from every last player, the Blues’ encounter with top of the table Tynedale, ended in disappointment with Macc losing out by 19pts to 13pts. The victors welcomed the final whistle as the Blues threw everything bar the kitchen sink at them. Although the Blues came away with a bonus point in being within seven points of the winners, the whole team were aware that they came so close to achieving the shock result of the season, in a frantic high quality game.
Coach Steve Mannion was full of praise for his team after the game and, after relieving himself of some of his frustrations, said, “Every player was magnificent on both commitment and application. We were unlucky to loose to the best team by some distance, we have played since I took over as first team coach.”
Macclesfield took to the field in ideal conditions apart from the strong breeze blowing across the field, in the hope of reversing the away defeat of 40pts to 10pts. Tynedale on the other hand, having lost only one league game so far, were intent on consolidating their stranglehold on the league.
The result was a fast and furious start with the pace of the game being far greater than normally seen at this level. The early exchanges were pretty even, but when the Blues exerted pressure in the Tynedale twenty two, the ball was moved wide after Rick Hughes had made good ground. Full back Fergus Mulchrone eased into the line and crashed over in the corner. Unfortunately Ross Winney’s conversion attempt went wide.
Tynedale immediately showed their character secured possession and pushed the Blues pack back into their twenty two and after nine minutes they opened their account with a try from hooker Robert Vickers, after a good forward drive. Phil Belgian converted to put the visitors two points in front. Tynedale continued to show that they are a potent force, and had not the Blues defence been at its best they would have surely scored more frequently. As it was it took until; twenty minutes before they managed to prize the door open, with Vickers scoring his second try after another drive from a line out. Belgian once again converted. 14-5.
Neil Keane was then unlucky to receive a yellow card for a late tackle on twenty nine minutes, and as a result Tynedale took little time in making the most of their numerical advantage when Peter Southern scored after thirty three minutes to complete the scoring for the first half.
In the second half Macc were to concentrate on trying to prevent the opposition from scoring for the fourth week in succession.
Remarkably, they achieved this, which says wonders for their skill and determination, particularly against such a strong team who had already scored over five hundred points in the league. It was achieved by sheer determination and self belief, and as a result they were able to gain parity with Tynedale, and it was Tynedale who had to pull out all the stops to keep Macc out. Eventually, some great driving by the home side pack rumbled over for Ollie Hewitt to claim the try. Unfortunately the conversion was again wide of the mark, but the gap was closing. 19-10.
Ian Lear and Mike Newell joined Pete Allen and Adam Mursall as substitutes, and Macc’s great attitude continued, taking the game to the visitors, so much so that there were signs that the visitors were tiring in the last ten minutes. But, the Blues were just unable to capitalise and add to a Winney penalty on sixty seven minutes.
Team: B Latham, S Moss, M Collie, J Bostock, N Keane, T Kerr, D Baines, O Hewitt, A Rice, R Winney, C Jones, R Hughes, T Davenport, N Barker, F Mulchrone,
Subs: P Allen I Lear A Mursall, M Newell.
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