Macclesfield……….34 Old Redcliffians….34
MACCLESFIELD’S return to National 2 has so far been impressive with seven points from three games, but Old Redcliffians were going to be a test of their mettle.
Macclesfield got off to a flying start with Billy Birkett coming of age scoring his first senior side try. This woke up Old Reds who scored two quick-fire tries after 17 and 19 minutes through Rogers and Cook.
Boughey levelled it up with Oliver’s conversion (14-14) after 27 minutes but penalty count and poor exits by Macc were punished by the visitors with two more tries before the half through Doyle and Oakley, to take a 14-26 lead in at the break.
The half-time chats must have worked because Macclesfield came out firing with Droy scoring after 44 minutes and lively scrum half Winterburn dotting down, after 58 minutes.
Macclesfield dominated, but couldn’t find a way over and must have thought the chance had gone when Rees scored for Old Reds before a penalty by Gapper gave the visitors an eight-point lead. But Macc fought back with an Oliver Penalty after 78 minutes and Harrison try at the death.
TEAMS
MACCLESFIELD: Hone, Droy, Darlington, Blackburn, Thompson, Boughey, Hughes, H Oliver, Winterburn, Leake, Harrison, Blackwell, J Oliver, Birkett, Jennings Replacements: Cross, Percival, Harding, Alston, Martin
OLD REDCLIFFIANS:
O’Donnell, Ford, Rogers, Fear, Doyle, Bowen, Taylor, Thurston, Luxford, Cookland, Murphy, Gapper, Cook, Oakley, Bryan Replacements: Appleton, Cartwright, Bairstow, Curry, Rees
REFEREE: Daniel Woods ATTENDANCE: 233
Star player Billy Birkett – Macclesfield
