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Macclesfield RUFC 11 Leicester Lions 11

23/ 4/2008

NATIONAL League rugby will be played at Priory Park next season.

The elation of the Macclesfield squad and supporters at the final whistle said it all as they survived an onslaught from a rugged Lions outfit but, in a tense encounter, the two points gained ensured Macc’s safety.

The game began on a bitterly cold and windy afternoon and the Lions, with the wind at their backs, exerted immediate pressure which resulted in fly-half William Twelvetrees striking a third-minute penalty before Macclesfield had hold of the ball.

Ross Winney saw a drop goal attempt swing wide but he made no mistake with the following penalty to level the scores.

The Macclesfield pack, lacking several regulars, held up well under pressure and a powerful 20-metre drive resulted in pressure on the Leicester line and Sam Moss nipped in to score his first try for the club in a remarkable first season for him at National level. Winney’s conversion struck an upright and bounced out to make the score 8-3 at half-time.

Another Winney penalty increased the lead to eight points after nine minutes of the half.

Twelvetrees responded with a penalty before the Blues lost the sin-binned Ollie Hewitt for a technical offence which led to massive Leicester pressure and a try by No 8 Jeremy Saxon as the depleted Macc pack were pushed over the line.

With 15 minutes left the game was wide open and all still to play for. The visitors almost snatched the win as the game reached its climax, an interception allowing them to race out of defence and, with just seconds to go Twelvetrees was short with a penalty.

Veteran prop forward Matt Harding entered the fray for the final few minutes of his illustrious Priory Park career to add weight and experience to the pack.

When Andy Rice kicked the ball into touch, scenes of great joy began on and off the field.

Coach Steve Mannion said: "Players win games, players lose games and coaches persuade. I dedicate this victory to the work that Andy Rice has done with the squad and I put our survival down to him."