RU: Macclesfield second XV 22 Rochdale 10
Macclesfield started off their season with a home win against Division 2 visitors Rochdale at Priory Park.
With a stronger squad, following new signings' flanker Lee Price and second row Scott Watson, the Macc forwards laid an excellent platform for three first half tries for wingers Dave Ellison, Steve Rowlands and centre Graham Cole.
A penalty for Rochdale gave a 17-3 scoreline at half time. Lineouts were contested very evenly with captain and front line jumper Danny Brocklehurst but the Macc scrum was dominant.
Good strike runs from Scot, Lee and prop Nick Reid kept up the pressure, but with tiring limbs and infringements in the second half Macc could only manage a try for fly-half Rick Hopkin which cancelled out a Rochdale try.
All the squad were played with solid performances from scrum half Toby Oliver, Nick Reid, Lee Price, Scot and Peter Sully, who cleared up a lot at the back of the lineout and pressurised the opposition.
Man of the Match was Scott Watson.
