Macclesfield  35     Preston Grasshoppers 14

Macclesfield continued their fine start to the campaign with what in the end was a convincing victory over our Lancashire rivals on an afternoon – especially after the bleak summer – more suited to cricket at Priory Park and it is now three out of three with last seasons trials put firmly behind this exciting squad.

The game commenced after a minutes silence in memory of club members Mike Massey & Neil Palin who recently passed away and the Blues kicked off facing a bright sun and the early stages were dominated with a kicking competition between the sides for ground.

It was ‘Hoppers who had the first opportunity to get on the board when, after just 3 minutes, Oliver Moore was wide with what would normally be a straightforward penalty after which both sides were out with touch finding kicks giving the opportunity to counter.

Ross Winney opened the scoring with a penalty but ‘Hoppers almost scored soon after when they stole a quickly taken Macc line out only to be tackled short before Winney increased the lead after 20 minutes with his second penalty.

Scott Goodfellow, after a couple of injury breaks, was replaced by Billy Robinson and almost immediately a Winney drop attempt was charged down after which the visitors enjoyed a period of good possession which ended when after a penalty saw a line in the Blues 22 and a drive ended when they scored the first try of the afternoon through Lock Marc Balshaw.  Moore’s conversion went over and Hoppers led by 7-6 as the interval approached.

At this stage ‘Hoppers looked the more physical side as they tried to batter their way through a resolute Macclesfield defence but too much ball was being given away in promising positions.

Half Time – Macclesfield 6  Preston Grasshoppers 7

The second half began badly for the Blues as after just 6 minutes ‘Hoppers Centre – Stefan Thomas – glided through non existent defence to touch down and with Moore adding the two it did not look good at 14-6 down with errors still evident but with Winney hitting his third penalty after 11 minutes to narrow the margin it was the signal for a purple patch of exhilarating play that saw first Joshua Fowles score after being put on his break by excellent hands from Rob McDermott.  Fowles left several defenders for dead on his way to the line and with Winney converting the Blues were in front and did not look back.

Minutes later McDermott scored a superb individual try of his own for Winney to convert and the Blues were now rampant and another McDermott break led to a Luke Fowles try and although the conversion went wide at 28-14 the Blues were in full control and clearly the fitter of the two sides.

As the game entered injury time Macclesfield Lock – Alan Marsh – touched down for the ‘bonus point’ try and when Winney’s conversion went over the match was over and another competent performance by the Blues after which Rugby Operations Manager – Brendan Thomas said, “This was a classic game of two half’s with ‘Hoppers looking better in the first forty but we played the rugby after the break with fitness coming to the fore and won well”

Team: Mulchrone, Fowles L, McDermott, Hughes. Fowles J, Winney, Macey, Devine, Allen, Goodfellow, Marsh, Lear, Baines, Jones & Smithson.

Replacements: Robinson, Taylor, Hewitt, Barker & Price.