Macclesfield conceded five tries at fourth-placed Rosslyn Park on Saturday and were beaten 46-10 after some second-half consolation scores.

Youngster George Baxter and Blues’ top try-scorer Elliot Brierley added their names to the score sheet but the Londoners proved why they are near the top of the league.

Rosslyn Park held possession from the kick-off and, although early tackles from Martin Kent and Matt O’Regan helped to break down the attacks and turn the ball over, the home side looked a constant threat with impressive handling and pace from their backs.

After 10 minutes fly-half Sam Katz scored a penalty and Rosslyn Park then went back on the offensive straight from the restart.

Hugo Ellis was able to score the first try of the afternoon after a quick break down the wing was defended desperately on the goal line, but Ellis powered over to put the hosts 8-0 up.

O’Regan was unlucky to have a kicked clearance blocked, but he was able to pick the ball up and carry it for a further five yards as the Blues looked to take control of possession.

After 25 minutes Macclesfield went down to 14 men as Dave Marwick saw yellow, and several minutes later Paul Mackey capitalised on the advantage after dummying a pass high up the field to cut inside and score down by the posts.

Katz was on target with the conversion to give the home side a 15-0 lead going into half time.

One minute into the second half Rosslyn Park scored again, Luke Campbell surging over the line after quick passing down the left wing created gaps in the Blues defence.

A dangerous high tackle from Richard Boyle on Tom Davenport that cut short a surging run was met with a yellow card and gave the Blues the extra man to go forward.

Winger Ed Stobart looked threatening on the left wing, while replacement Matt King also came close with a promising break, but the Park defence stayed strong and denied the visitors their first points.

At the 50-minute mark Rosslyn Park scored two converted tries in quick succession, through Stephen Parsons and Captain Harry Rowland to give them the bonus point and a 34-0 lead

Macclesfield’s response came five minutes later, after strong pressure high up the field ended in substitute George Baxter diving over the line to score his first try of the season.

Parsons added his second of the game with 10 minutes remaining and despite an ambitious tackle from Stobart at the goal line the home side stretched further into the lead.

Park’s last try came from winger David Vincent, who was lucky to pick up the ball in space after a Blues kick was blocked. Katz scored the conversion to take the score to 46-5.

Brierley’s try right on the final whistle failed to make a dent on the scoreline as the match finished up at 46-10.

Blues head coach Geoff Wappett was disappointed and said: “We were looking to get a point, but it’s always a difficult place to come to

“We’ve won here before, but you have to be right on the top of your game to turn it your way. They’ve made several new signings from London Scottish and they made us look quite boy-like.

“There were some pieces of play that we had that looked very good, but they weren’t often enough and they didn’t last long enough.

“Our own worst enemy was that we gave the ball up too easily, we didn’t have it long enough to really hurt them and that cost us most dearly.

“I was pleased with Matt King who came on in the second half, I was also pleased for George to get his try.

“It was good to see Ryan Parkinson play a full 80 minutes and he did some really good stuff, I know full well that with every game he plays he’ll get stronger.

“The game against Sedgley Park, we’re going to have to earn that whole performance. It has to be a big performance and it has to be a five-point win.

“If we’re not winning these home games then we’ll be in trouble, there is a run of games coming up that we really need to roll our sleeves up and take advantage of.”