DMPRFC travelled to Macclesfield RFC expecting a tough game and they were not disappointed, as the home side battled every step of the way, even when down to 12 players on the field.

From a DMPRFC perspective, the game produced the 5 points they were looking for and they did produce some moments of magic, however, a more determined than usual Macclesfield side deserved their 2 league bonus points, pushing the visitors right to the end.

As DMPRFC travelled to the game, over the tops at Saddleworth Moor, the weather was atrocious, with snow causing traffic problems. However, once over the other side and into Lancashire, although cold, conditions were fine for what ended up being an exciting game for the decent crowd in attendance.

Full back Henry ROBINSON scored the first try for DMPRFC, popping up on the left wing to support his forwards after a catch And drive lineout made the initial progress after 8 minutes of play (0 - 5).

Macclesfield responded with a well struck penalty after the visitors were adjudged to have pulled down their giant second row in an attacking lineout a minute later (3 - 5).

DMPRFC wasted a 2 on 1 opportunity wide out just after that, when the scoring pass from Grant CONNON to Lewis JOHNSON was adjudged forward by the official.

Not to be denied, the early pressure told for the visitors, when galloping lock Ben GLEDHILL cut through the home defence, to score near the posts (3 - 10), CONNON converting (3 - 12).

Macclesfield were somewhat fortunate at this stage to get back in the game, when from a lineout, the ball was spun along their backline and a difficult pass to an attacker was knocked forward, then gathered by another player to go in under the posts. Initiallly the official was undecided as to whether the try should stand, but after consultation with his assistant, awarded the try (8 - 12). The conversion was easy (10 - 12).

The score had somewhat of a dampening effect on the visitors and to their credit, Macclesfield took advantage, scoring a good try, when their full back cut through the DMPRFC midfield, after some poor attempts to bring him down (15 - 12), Again the conversion was easy (17 - 12).

Stunned into action, DMPRFC responded just prior to oranges, when a superb solo try from fly half Grant CONNON, which he converted himself (17 - 19) took the visitors into a slender lead at the interval.

On resumption of play, both sides endeavoured to gain ascendency and it was only a strange series of yellow cards, all awarded against the home side, which stirred the game into action.

Firstly and in quick succession, two home forwards were sin-binned for infringements in the red-zone, as DMPRFC piled on the pressure in that area.

DMPRFC seized the advantage and from a scrum, the inevitable penalty try followed, with CONNON easily adding the afters from under the posts (17 - 26).

Just as the players and the crowd had reeled from these events, a third Macclesfield player was sent to 'the cooler', which seemingly produced a game changing mismatch.

When all watching thought the onslaught would follow, DMPRFC failed to take advantage, getting caught up in a series of forward exchanges, which benefited the home side. To be fair to Macclesfield, their endeavour was contributory towards them nullifying the numerical disadvantage against them and they deserved it.

It was only when numbers were returned to equal players that DMPRFC scored again, this time hooker Matt THOMPSON emerging from the rolling maul having forced the ball down for the try (17 - 31). This time CONNON kicked a good conversion from wide out (17 - 33).

It was thought that DMPRFC would push on and cement a vital win, but a frantic last 5 minutes, which included the sin binning of full back ROBINSON, saw Macclesfield throw the 'kitchen sink' into a fightback.

They scored 2 good tries, one of them converted (29 - 33), to ensure an uncomfortable end to the game for DMPRFC, who were glad to see the final whistle in the end.

With returning players, and a hand from Sale in the form of a couple of [players, coupled with the commitment shown in this game, Macclesfield RFC will cause a few problems for other teams vying for promotion and relegation during the rest of the league campaign.