National League 3 North
Macclesfield 33
Darlington 16

MACCLESFIELD secured survival with a four-try bonus burst against Darlington, while all but condemning their opponents to relegation.

Although seven points behind at the break, Macclesfield took the crucial points in the second half to secure their league status.

After a poor run of results, the home fans were biting their nails in anticipation before Saturday's kick-off.

With barely four minutes on the clock, Darlington took the lead with a David Andrew try when their pack forced a rolling maul. An ensuing lineout and drive led to the try.

Macclesfield skipper Ross Winney narrowed their lead with a penalty three minutes later and, Winney and Charles Rayner exchanged penalties until the break, Darlington going in 16-9 ahead.

Play had been scrappy and nervous with both sides well aware of the consequences of defeat in this game.

Darlington's Andy Tonkin was shown a yellow card and, while he was off the field, Macclesfield scored a try through prop Scott Goodfellow, who touched down after a good forward drive.

The score was followed with hooker Peter Allen finishing a superb handling move in the corner. Although the conversion fell short, the confidence was returning to the home side and it was no surprise when man of the match Allen finished off another move in style. Winney converted and, at 26-16 the game looked to be won.

It was still vitally important to deny Darlington a path back into the game and the chance of a bonus point.

With the ball still being run by the Blues' threes, full-back Dave Jones finished off a Tony Howcroft break to touch down unopposed and Macclesfield's survival was complete.

There were good performances on the park by scrum-half Joe Walker, lock Gareth Lodge with some aggressive runs, flanker Dan Baines and winger Dan Duggan.

After the game, Macclesfield's relieved coach, Steve Burnage, said: "The lads worked hard in training this week and clearly there are still points to improve on.

"The second-half handling and scores were outstanding and we can now look forward to the cup final with confidence."

Team: Goodfellow, Allen, Bieniasz, Stockdale, Lodge, Baines, R Jones, Hewitt. Walker, Roberts, Wilding, Howcroft, Winney, Duggan, D Jones. Replacements: Keane, Collie, Latham, Rice.