Macclesfield 29 Kendal 14: AFTER three weeks on the road, Macclesfield made a winning return to Priory Park with victory over a rugged Kendal side that fought to the end.

Kicking off with a strong cross-field wind in their faces the Blues were quickly forced back into their own 22, but a break from scrum-half George Coote took play back into Kendal territory and good pressure from the home pack ended when flanker Jonathon Keep forced his way over the line for the first try of the afternoon.

Kendal then took control and forced play into the Macclesfield 22 and a break from Kendal skipper Ian Voortman led to the next score when winger Matthew Gracie touched down on 14 minutes. Robert Aloe’s kick put the visitors ahead.

Both sides looked good on the break with Richard Hughes and Rob McDermott strong for the Blues but it was Kendal who increased their lead with a questionable penalty, awarded for holding on in the tackle, Brett Ashley scored their second converted try for a 14-5 lead.

Lewis Boyd on the Kendal wing was running strongly at Macclesfield and only good defence - especially from Peter Hardwick - kept him at bay throughout the game and for Macclesfield full-back Jon Lowdon was a tower of strength under the high ball.

Macc were next on the scoreboard with a Ross Winney penalty and a scintillating break by centre Rob McDermott put the Blues into a lead they were not to surrender.

As the interval approached the excellent Lowdon scored by the posts after a 40-metre break and Winney’s conversion put Macclesfield 22-14 ahead as the whistle blew for half-time.

In the second half both sides were throwing the ball round with abandon and both were also guilty of losing possession at crucial times.

The final try of the afternoon came when Blues prop Martin Kent showed the Kendal defence a three-quarters sidestep and shuffle to score a fine individual try, Winney’s conversion putting the seal on a Macclesfield victory.

However, Kendal’s Boyd was unlucky not to feature on the scoresheet with several more strong runs which were thwarted by good defence.

Both sides should take credit for keeping the game open although, in the second half especially, defences were generally on top.

Following the game Macclesfield head coach Geoff Wappett said: "Standards have risen over the season but we do need to manage games better and earn the right to run the ball wide.

"However, the squad are more than happy with the five points gained and we justify our position in the table. It’s a satisfactory result for us."