With the fixture a doubt during the week with fears of the incessant rain forecasting a water-logged pitch, the game was only confirmed on Saturday morning.

Although playable, the heavy conditions did not suit the visitors, who fell behind from the off, when they failed to gather a high ball and home No. 8 James Oliver pounced on the loose ball and dived over for the score, (5 – 0), with centre Harry Oliver adding the extras (7 – 0), before Mowden had even touched the ball.

Macclesfield continued to dominate possession early in the game and were in the ascendency in the set piece as Mowden struggled to get a foothold in the game.

It wasn’t long before the home side had doubled their advantage, when aptly named prop Andrew Darlington crashed over from close range (12 – 0), with Harry Oliver successful with the conversion. (14 – 0)

Unusually, it had taken Mowden up until this point to have any meaning contribution and it took skipper Liam CHECKSFIELD for the visitors, cutting a line through the home defence for the touchdown (14 – 5).

As matters became more combative, Mowden skipper CHECKSFIELD was forced from the field when sustaining a gash to the top of the head, ending his participation. It occurred in his attempt to prevent Macclesfield’s third try, which ultimately proved unsuccessful, as the home side edged further ahead via full back Jason Leake, who squeezed over for a try (19 – 5), converted by Oliver (21 – 5)

Macclesfield were again dominating play from this period and by the time oranges arrived, they had added a penalty try (28 – 5) and a further penalty from Oliver. (31 – 5)

A rain sodden Mowden trudged into the sheds for a re-think, with a damage limitation team talk to follow if anything was to be recovered from the game.

Thankfully, a more positive response emerged and Mowden fought a decent rear guard action, gradually forcing themselves into a game the home side had previously dominated.

Mowden scored first after the break, with winger James BENT outpacing the home defence to score (31 – 10), WARD converting. (31 – 12)
As Mowden were now looking a lot more dangerous and perhaps against the run of plat, Macclesfield were rewarded with an excellent individual try by Harry Oliver, who carved his way seemingly through the whole of the Mowden side to score under the posts for the score,(36 – 12), converting his own try (38 – 12), in what was to prove the decisive score for the home side.

This was because, as the game moved into the last ten minutes a combination of factors conspired to reduce the deficit gained by Macclesfield in the first half and gave impetus to Mowden, who sensed some hope of getting something out of a game that appeared well lost after those first forty minutes.

Firstly, experienced Mowden prop Alfie BARRON was forced to exit with an injury and although he was replaced, Mowden were reduced in numbers, with replacement scrum half Reuben DYER yellow carded.

As Mowden pressed the home line Macclesfield themselves were reduced, but to 13-players, with influential forwards James Oliver and lock Harry Harding, both yellow card within a minute of each other, as Mowden lay siege to the home line.

Replacement No. 8 Simon UZOKWE forced his way over from a catch and drive lineout (38 – 17), the conversion slotted by WARD (38 – 19).
As the game edged to a close, Macclesfield kicked off, but the ball found it’s way to Mowden’s Reuben PARSONS, who took off into the flagging home forwards, skittling them like the proverbial bowling ball. From the resulting lineout for Mowden, UZOKWE again squeezed over for the try. (38 - 24)

Whilst the conversion was unsuccessful, this kick heralded the end of the game, but the well deserved try bonus point for Mowden, who never gave up.

BACK TO THE ARENA NEXT WEEK, FOR THE VISIT OF UNBEATEN LEAGUE LEADERS - SHEFFIELD RFC.