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Macc scare leaders

Peter Jones
21/12/2005

Nat League 3 (N)
Nuneaton 43
Macclesfield 33

MACCLESFIELD failed to upset unbeaten leaders Nuneaton despite a sterling effort in the last quarter which saw the Blues claw their way back into the game with three well-taken tries.

Trailing 43-14 with 20 minutes remaining, Ollie Hewitt, Rob Bieniasz and Ben Coulbeck touched down to reduce the deficit to ten points. But the rampant visitors had to settle for a bonus point as the former National League Two outfit held on for the win in the first ever League meeting between the two sides.

Director of rugby Steve Rule was pleased with the overall performance. He said: "Although we were guilty of losing possession and presenting the opposition with opportunities to score tries, particularly in the third quarter, we fought back well to score some good tries and became the only side to score five tries against Nuneaton this season.

"This is especially significant when seen in the light of the number of injuries we have suffered and how many youngsters were included."

The game began ominously for the Blues with the Nuns breaking through to score the first try after only four minutes. However, Macc gained the initiative, pushing the home side back to the corner and, after regaining possession, showed good hands for Joe Walker to cross for a converted try.

Macc moved further ahead after the home side lost control of the ball which was kicked through for Joe Knowles to pick up and score. Within a minute though, Nuneaton charged down a clearance kick and closed the gap, then took the lead when they turned over a Macclesfield attempt to run out of defence.

Macc's problems with coping with the hosts' clinical finishing were exacerbated further when another loss of possession resulted in a fourth try, and bonus point, for the home team before half-time.

Things did not improve for the Blues in the second half when Nuneaton took further advantage of turnover ball and poor defence, running in three tries before the hour mark.

But Macc did not capitulate and gradually got themselves back into the game. After some good approach work Hewitt got on the scoresheet. Bieniasz then powered his way over and Coulbeck ended a first-class move by the backs to close the points difference, though they were unable to reduce the gap further.

Macclesfield: Williams, Allen, Bieniasz, Stockdale, Muckalt, Hewitt, Street, Keep, Walker, Birley, Knowles, Winney, Naylor, Hardwick, Coulbeck. Subs: Donaldson, Pearson, Thomas, Bartle.