Northwich travelled to Macclesfield filled with optimism - but discipline let them down.

Following last week’s excellent performance against Penrith Northwich travelled to Macclesfield filled with optimism. Despite the euphoria of the victory over Penrith the blacks understood that Macclesfield would prove to be a much sterner test. Last season Macclesfield were going through a transition and as a result Northwich achieved the double over them. This year would be an entirely different story with the so-far unbeaten Macclesfield looking good in the opening rounds. As the sides began their respective warm-ups the rain began and never ceased throughout the match. This proved a deciding factor as the home side adapted far better to the conditions while the visitors made too many handling errors.

Despite the preamble it was Northwich who started the brightest. From the kick-off they were awarded a penalty and opted for a lineout. Having secured the ball, they created a driving maul and Paddy Douglas peeled off to score yet another two-minute try. The extras went begging but the faithful were buoyed by the opening exchanges. The Macclesfield response came from an error. The restart kick was allowed to bounce, and it was pounced on by Macclesfield. The home side exploited the situation and demonstrated how quickly they could counter, scoring a neat try that was converted. With just 6 minutes gone the home side were 2 points to the good. The following 10 minutes saw both sides looking for a way to break the deadlock. It was at this point the Northwich discipline let them down and Macclesfield kicked the penalty into the corner. From the lineout they moved the ball wide and a good line left the Northwich defence at sea leading to an unconverted try. As the half hour approached Northwich lost a defensive lineout that was punished by some quick handling which produced a converted try. The remaining 10 minutes of the half were played out with both sides making errors and no further scores before the break.

The match resumed with the blacks trying to get back on terms. With just 5 minutes of half gone they were able to narrow the gap. This time it was Northwich who had an attacking lineout and following a series of charges Boitumelo Tsatsane broke the line and delivered a pass to Tom husbands for him to finish in style. Husbands converted his own try narrowing the gap to 7 points. Within 10 minutes Macclesfield re-established their 14-point gap. Once again ill-discipline led to a lineout close to the black’s line and a well drilled maul led to another converted try for the home side. As the match moved into the final 10 minutes Rory Leijdekkers ponced on a loose ball leading to a Northwich attack some excellent handling was finished with Liam Batt providing Tom Husbands with the ball to score his second try. With just 5 minutes left the match was put beyond doubt. Macclesfield created a driving maul and despite some determined defence from Northwich the home side scored another unconverted try. Northwich were pressing when Macclesfield cleared their lines with a kick to touch believing the ball had crossed the line Boitumelo Tsatsane played the ball to himself. The referee determined he had taken it out and awarded the home side a penalty. Out of frustration Liam Batt remonstrated with the referee and was subsequently shown a red card for dissent. The penalty kick was put in the corner and the home side produced a familiar score from a well drilled lineout bringing the match to a close and victory to Macclesfield by 38-17.

This was clearly disappointing for all concerned but the coaching team will have been pleased with much of the effort of their charges in particular Sam Patterson who worked tirelessly and the Fire & Heat Man-of-the-Match Taylor Haugh who was excellent throughout.

Next week Northwich entertain Wirral in the county cup competition KO 2.00pm

Northwich Team
15 Taylor Haugh
14 Tom Husband
13 Boitumelo Tsatsane
12 Richard Dale
11 Eli Brizendine
10 Liam Batt
9 Austin Fernandez
1 Gabriel Sipapate
2 Eon Du Preez
3 Rory Leijdekkers (Capt)
4 Patrick Douglas
5 Tom Clark
6 Anthony Keller
7 Sam Patterson
8 Joe Christian

Replacements
16 Jack England
17 Jordan Clarke
18 Jonny Pym