National League Two North
Westoe.............................28
Macclesfield....................38
MACCLESFIELD won an open and entertaining game for the neutrals but for the supporters of both sides it was an encounter of frustration.
The Blues made it five league victories in succession to retain second spot in Two North.
The game began with the home side taking advantage of the notorious slope on their ground and it was no shock when they took an early lead through Charlie Rayner penalty.
Thankfully for the Blues, it was the last time that they saw a lead in a game that was to be dominated by the Macclesfield pack as they gained in confidence.
The Blues suffered an early blow when Dan Baines – returning after a month out – had to leave the pitch with a recurrence of his ankle injury and with regular No 8 Jon Keep already sidelined with a knock Henry Platt came on to bolster the back row.
A splendid break by Chris Jones led to pressure that resulted in the game’s first try when Rob McDermott linked in to be driven over for a try converted by Ross Winney. A further break from Macclesfield’s man-of-the-match McDermott led to more pressure on the home line which resulted in the second try, claimed by young hooker Sam Moss.
Winney’s kick, followed by a penalty, gave the visitors a 17-3 lead.
At this stage it was all Macclesfield but a Rayner penalty gave the hosts some respite and shortly after they got their first try when, after an excellent break, their wing man James Walker collected a kick through to score and at the interval the game was well balanced at 17-11.
As the weather settled into an icy afternoon pressure resulted in the Blues’ third try when Evan Stewart forced his way over for a try, duly converted by Winney.
Westoe refused to lie down and struck back with a try of their own, scored by lock Ian Robinson.
Another break by McDermott set the Blues up for the bonus-point try which came from centre Richard Hughes after a break by Winney. His in-form boot kicked the conversion to give Macc a comfortable 31-16 lead.
Westoe claimed their third try as Peter Phelan ran through some weak Blues defence to touch down and bring the home team to within 10 points.
Thankfully concerted pressure by the Blues pack resulted in Chris Jones scoring try number five, Winney’s kick completing a 100 per cent success rate. for a 38-21 lead.
Westoe got their bonus point thanks to another try from Phelan but the Blues’ win keeps them in touch with league leaders Loughborough Students, who demolished Fylde 43-0.
