RU - THE CLUBMAN: Macc continued their 100 per cent start by the skin of their teeth against Huddersfield.

Maybe it was the way that we finished off Morley last weekend.

Maybe it was the excellent rugby weather after a dreadful week of wind and rain.

Or maybe it was the optimism brought on by a good start to the season - coupled with the excitement brought on by the series of international encounters around the Isles on Saturday.

But whatever it was that gave us a good feeling ahead of Saturday's game was very nearly dampened by a shock Huddersfield victory.

As we neared 4.30pm on Saturday, and the otherwise immaculate Chris Quinn lined up a penalty almost in front of the sticks, defeat was staring Macclesfield in the face.

Had the kick gone over, Huddersfield would have led by one point with seconds left to play.

It didn't, and Macclesfield retained their 100 per cent home record.

But they were made to sweat by a side who can perhaps consider themselves unlucky with some of the decisions made during the game - a match which saw two of their players yellow carded.

However, a win is a win, and the result took Macclesfield up to second in North One on points difference.

The reality is that there are simply no easy games in this league if we are to be looking at promotion come the end of the season.

Looking at the way things stand, with just over a quarter of the season gone, it is pleasing to see Macclesfield players at the top of both the kicking and try scoring tables for North One.

Gary Bell, with 86 league points from the boot, and Jonathan Keep - with seven league tries - sit proudly at the top, with some quality players not far behind them.

I had the pleasure, before the first team kicked off, of watching our seconds as they took on Altrincham Kersal in a Merit game.

They were 24-3 up at half time against a side that, like Macclesfield, were unbeaten in Merit fixtures.

The final score of 39-3 reflected the difference between the two sides.

And I was particularly impressed with Matt Smith on the wing, who scored a fine hat-trick of tries.

One I saw in the first half had everything. It is good to see the effort now at this level.

Andy Vassell, along with his vice-captain Brendan Thomas, must be well pleased as they now sit at the top of that table.

Only Winnington Park can match their 100 per cent record.

If you cannot travel with the first team, then please come along and watch this side - you will not be disappointed.

Further afield, I know a few Macc supporters travelled to HQ to watch the England-New Zealand game.

From the highlights I have seen, it was a satisfying result to start the autumn campaign, before the Six Nations creep upon us - although even Mrs Clubman thought one of Jonah Lomu's tries was a trifle suspect.

I pen these notes listening to Mozart's Requiem in memory of English cricket, which folded without effort in Brisbane on Sunday morning...

Bring the squad home now and avoid further humiliation. I have burnt my matches for the urn.