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Two-point Titans’ loss

30/ 5/2007

HISTORY was made on Friday night, as the newly-formed Macclesfield Titans played their first rugby league match in a summer Conference competition.

They lost 28-26 to Warrington Wizards in a superbly competitive game, despite only fielding one player with any previous experience of the game, player-coach Tony Howcroft.

The fact that they were able to compete with a side from the game's heartland says much for future prospects.

Macc opened the scoring when Jon Keep's clever pass gave centre Fergus Mulchrone space and he touched down in the corner.

The newcomers maintained a superb defensive line and tackled very effectively.

However, the Wizards' greater experience began to tell, and they scored three times to take a 12-point half-time lead.

Substitute Joe Rea pulled a score back early in the second half, but two more tries to the home side put them 28-8 ahead.

The back row of Chris Jones, Chris Rawles and Keep in particular started to make inroads, while half-back Ian Roberts showed excellent skills.

Mulchrone scored another four tries as the clock ran down but only one of goal-kicker Matt Simpson's conversion attempts was successful, hitting the post three times in the Titans' narrow defeat.