National League 3 (North)
Fylde 17
Macclesfield 32
AN excellent performance eased Macc's relegation concerns further on Saturday, particularly as a try bonus point was earned as well.
The Blues' back play was better organised than of late, resulting in greater penetration in attack and a more secure defensive alignment.
The forwards were outstanding, with a solid performance from the front five who created a good platform, while the back row also had a superb game.
Director of rugby Steve Rule said: "The scoreline does not reflect the closeness of the game. It was nip and tuck throughout.
"We had to work very hard to achieve this victory, but for once this season we got the bounce of the ball. Our concentration was better, and if we can go on producing performances like today we will not have any problems staying in the league.
"I am very proud of the amount of effort and enthusiasm still being shown. It speaks volumes for their commitment at this stage of the season."
Macclesfield began well and put early pressure on the home side, but good defence from Fylde kept the Blues at bay.
The game proceeded with neither side gaining the ascendancy, but Fylde were first to convert a penalty through Mike Scott after 25 minutes. Then, out of the blue, flanker Nick Pearson dispossessed a Fylde player, then out-sprinted some desperate defence to cover 70 metres and score Macc's first try. Ross Winney converted.
The contest continued to swing from end-to-end, but no further scores were forthcoming before the break.
In the second half, the Blues gained more ascendancy, and after Winney had converted a penalty on 50 minutes, Pearson once again used his speed to create a gap, and some fine interpassing resulted in number eight Jonnie Keep forcing his way over. Winney converted to hand Macc a 17-3 lead.
But Fylde soon replied with a try from a catch and drive to close the gap to one score.
A loose pass from Fylde was then booted forward by Ben Coulbeck, and when a kind bounce was gathered by him, there was no catching the flying fullback, who scored under the posts after 73 minutes.
Such was the game, that some three minutes later a quick tap from a penalty caught the Blues napping and scrum half Paul Green scampered over to close the gap again.
However, a penalty from Winney in the final minutes gave Macc the victory, before a score from Dave Muckalt after excellent approach work, in added time, proved to be the icing on the cake, giving Macc a try bonus point.
MACC: S Goodfellow, P Allen, R Bieniasz, I Lear, D Muckalt, R Jones, N Pearson, J Keep, A Rice, R Winney, J Knowles, T Howcroft, D Naylor, M Mason, B Coulbeck. Bench: A Davidson, S Harrison, W Stockdale, G Browning.
