MACCLESFIELD RFC 30 v DMPRFC 19

A combination of a poor start to the day and a powerful first half performance from the home pack, gave DMPRFC too much to do after oranges. Although they did mount a rear guard action, which nearly paid off.

Not the best of starts to the day’s proceedings, when the player's bus breaks down requiring a replacement and then human satellite navigation systems profess to know better than the hi-tech alternatives. Both resulting in a late arrival at the ground and the usual preparations somewhat cut short.

Add to that mix, a bizarre loss of three visiting players in the first twenty minutes via various injuries and perhaps the writing was on the wall that the day wasn't going to go 'according to plan' for DMPRFC.

And so it proved, as the first half became a blur, as the visitors failed to shake off their bus legs and the home side powered into a 22 - 7 lead at oranges.

Taking nothing away from Macclesfield, they thoroughly deserved their lead at the interval, as their 10 man game proved very successful, taking full advantage of the visitors woes.

Winger Chris McTURK was the first to leave proceedings after thirteen minutes of play, as he emerged from the bottom of a ruck injured and although battling on for a further five minutes, his game was over.

Then, on twenty minutes, both lock Chris CAMPBELL and No.10 Tom HODGSON, were forced to exit, both with head injuries.

Chris CAMBELL took a knock to the head several minutes prior to his exit from the game and although gamely carryiong on, he too succumbed and left the field.

The most worrying looking injury was that which befell No.10 Tom HODGSON, as he lay prostrate in the centre of the field after play moved on. An accidental head collision induced the player to sickeningly convulsions and although help was immediate, it took twenty minutes for the player to be able to walk with aid off the pitch and off to hospital.

During this twenty minute period, Macclesfield had racked up two tries, a penalty and a conversation (15 - 0).

Although DMPRFC seemed to spark into action and responded with a Tom KILLE effort (15 - 5), added to by Gavin PAINTER conversion(15 - 7), the visitors were basically starved of any useful ball, as the home forwards continued to dominate.

DMPRFC always looked dangerous in the backline when given the sniff of any opportunity, but these forays were strictly limited.

Another DMPRFC injury added difficulty to disadvantage, as replacement (for Chris McTURK) Craig DOMINIC after only playing 24 minutes, with an ankle injury, necessitating No.7 Jack ALLCOCK to play on the wing for the rest of the game. Hooker Ross DONEGHAN came on for his debut, but not in his favoured front row birth, but as a flanker.

A further try by a home forward and a subsequent conversion (22 – 7) piled on the miserable fortunes of the visitors and as oranges arrived, the Macclesfield faithful maybe sensed more of the same in the second half.

DMPRFC needed to re-assess as the teams left the field for the dressing rooms, as four of their five replacements were already forced into the game.

Initially, the game started off in similar vein and after ten minutes in, the home side sealed the try bonus point, as their No.8 romped over (27 – 7)

However, a combination of fatigue and thoughts that the game with the bonus point was won appeared to creep into the home side psyche, which coincided with DMPRFC changing gear and upping the pace, showing their credentials.

An individual kick, chase and collect saw visiting winger Tom KILLE over for his brace (27 – 12) and from the restart, arguably the try of the day came for the visitors.

DMPRFC No.8 Talite VAIOLETI, who had been hugely prominent in defence in the first half with some shuddering tackles, received the ball and broke away into midfield. The Tongan shipped it on to his back row colleague Rory DUFF in support, who linked with replacement lock Guy van den DRIES, who crashed over for the try (27 – 17). The conversion from Gavin PAINTER was good (27 – 19) and all of a sudden, things appeared to be changing.

Macclesfield were creaking, but managed to relieved some tension with a penalty, as DMPRFC strayed offside (30 – 19).

Had full back Henry ROBINSON latched on to a ‘round the player’ pass from Rory DUFF for an unopposed run in near the sticks, the last few minutes would have been very interesting.

However, it wasn't to be and Macclesfield held on for a deserved win and a good five points start.

With a little ‘deja vu’ feeling for DMPRFC , as thoughts of last year’s start away against Preston Grasshoppers (0 – 34) came to mind, this performance was somewhat different and taking all things into account that happened before and during the game, DMPRFC can and will take some positives out of it and into the next game.