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Just
what do Lions have to do to win a game?!?!?! Macclesfield will be
breathing a huge sigh of relief tonight that their drive for promotion
is still on track after a determined Lions pushed them all the way.
Although Macclesfield scored 3 tries to Lions 1, there was an element of
“good fortune” in each of them, and once again Lions can count
themselves unlucky to only have yet another bonus point for an excellent
performance.
With
Hawkes out for the rest of the season, Andy Regan took over at fly
half. James Cooper came in at scrum half with both Dave Jackson and
Scott Clendenning-Fenton suffering from illness and injury. Knowing the
reputation of the Macclesfield pack, Lions went for experience over
youth, with Mark Ellis and Danny Collins starting on either flank of the
scrum.
Lions
started of in their usual style, giving penalties away. However,
Macclesfield’s Mike Newell pushed a relatively simple chance wide of the
posts. Lions were more than holding the vaunted Macclesfield pack,
giving them trouble at both line-outs and scrums. However, the
Macclesfield backs looked sharp, and they scored their first try on 8
minutes, but in controversial style. A good break and good hands put
wing Ben Wheale in at the corner. However, the touch judge had clearly
signalled a forward pass, and informed the referee again once the try
had been given. Incredibly, the referee totally ignored the touch, and
the try stood, much to the displeasure of the Shed. Mike Newall’s
touchline conversion was wide. ( 0 – 5 )
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The touch
judge clearly indicating a forward pass so the Ref gives a
try... |
Lions
were more than giving as good as they got, and strong tackling
continuously sent Macclesfield backwards. When Lions were awarded a
penalty, up stepped Glenn Bond to send his kick straight between the
posts from 40 metres. ( 3 – 5 )
Better was to come for Lions, as the forwards tore into the opposition,
and excellent presentation and quick hands saw Ricky Hyslop racing
beneath the posts for a well-worked try. Glenn Bond added the
conversion. ( 10 – 5 )
Any
impartial viewer must have been wondering just which side was pushing
for promotion, as Lions kept up the intensity, but this boiled over when
Mark Ellis and Rick Jones had a “disagreement” and both were yellow
carded.
Macclesfield drew level on 20 minutes, and again the Shed was left
howling in protest. A Macclesfield scrum on the Lions 22 was sent
backwards by the marauding Lions pack, and the scrum was wheeled almost
180 degrees. However, referee Rob Sheard allowed Macclesfield to play
on, and more excellent back play put Steve Campbell in for another try.
Again Mike Newall pushed the conversion wide. ( 10 – 10)
To
rub salt into the wound, Lions repeated the exercise at the very next
scrum, and were awarded the put-in!! Glenn Bond had a chance to restore
Lions’ lead, but his 40 metres penalty didn’t quite have the legs. The
Macclesfield backs had been fringing on offside (to put it mildly!!) all
game, and when Rob Sheard at last spotted an offence, Glenn Bond had
another chance to give Lions the lead, but this time his penalty came
back off a post.
Quick
thinking by Matt Goode, taking a quick tap at a penalty in his own 22,
split the Macclesfield defence, and they were penalised again as they
desperately tried to defend the follow up. The ball was tapped to the
corner, and as Simon Hepher took a good catch, he was callously taken
out in the air……a ploy that the Macclesfield pack had adopted several
times already. This time Simon Hepher took some time to recover, but
was fit to take another good catch from the line-out that ensued from
the penalty.
Lions
drove in, but the maul was taken down and the chance was lost.
Half Time
Lions 10 Macclesfield 10
Lions
started the second half with more tenacious tackling that stopped
Macclesfield in their tracks, and often drove them back. Having
substituted Rob Bieniasz with Craig Williams at half time, Macclesfield
were forced to make another change as giant lock Ian Lear was injured
and was replaced by Nic Pearson. Lions had to wait several minutes for
the sub to strip off his tracksuit, but when a Lions’ player went down
injured, referee Rob Sheard simply carried on playing!! The referee was
certainly not endearing himself to the Shed!!
Lions
were now hammering away at the Macclesfield line, and several more
drives would surely have yielded a try. However, Ricky Hyslop decided
to chip the defence. Now this was a ploy that Lions should have used
more often against the quickly advancing Macclesfield back line to make
them think twice about things, but unfortunately this was particular
opportunity was not the one to try it. Ben Coulbeck was perfectly
placed to gather the kick and hoof the ball way downfield. Glenn Bond
did well to reverse his attacking role and get back to cover, but
Macclesfield hit him in force to win the turnover and send Ben Wheale in
at the corner for his second try. This time Mike Newall’s touchline
conversion was judged to perfection. ( 10 – 17 )
Things got worse for Lions as Kelvin Todd was yellow carded following a
fist flurry during a snow flurry. Lions brought Ella off to allow Glen
Carson to come on and cover at prop. Lions efforts were taking their
toll, and they soon had to make enforced changes, with Allan Mitchell
replacing Andy Regan, plus Alex Nash, and Tristan Wati replacing Ricky
Hyslop, and Simon Hepher. Now the observant ones amongst you will
notice that this was a centre and a lock being replaced by a flanker and
a prop!! You will also have realised that this meant something of a
reshuffle in Lions ranks. Alex Nash went onto the wing to allow Matt
Goode to come into the centre. In the pack, Tristan went into the front
row, with Thommo moving to lock and Glen Carson joining Danny Collins in
the back row.
It
was inevitable that after such changes, Lions’ shape would be lost, but
the Lions’ 14 never stopped battling, and performed superbly to prevent
Macclesfield adding to their score. With Kelvin Todd restored to duty,
when Lions were penalised, Mike Newall tried his luck from 40 metres,
but his kick was scuffed and Lions cleared. Back came Lions with more
terrific driving play, and when Macclesfield were penalised, Glenn Bond
sent the ball between the posts from 30 metres. ( 13 – 17 )
Lions
looked to have yet another bonus point secure, but they were looking for
something more. However, it wasn’t to be, and several wayward kicks
from tired legs on a heavy pitch allowed Macclesfield to hold on for the
victory.
Final Score
Lions 13 Macclesfield 17
Don's musings
This
was an excellent performance by Lions against a Macclesfield outfit that
will be counting their lucky stars and thanking referee Rob Sheard for
their narrow victory. The Lions pack was outstanding, with excellent
work in the loose and the line-out, and some devastating scrummaging.
The Lions backs did not look as slick as they did at Cleckheaton, but
the heavy pitch and intermittent snow and rain meant that today was for
the forwards.
The
selection of Ella and Danny Collins in the back row was spot on, with
both leading the charge as the Lions pack tore into their Macclesfield
counterparts, and wreaked havoc. Unfortunately it was the same old
story, with Lions suffering yet another “if only” day. So close and yet
so far, it was sickening.
However, the players must not get despondent. If the performances
continue with the same intensity and application to the end of the
season, then surely a few wins must be forthcoming to preserve our
National League status.
And
so to Halifax, and another good performance will put the team in good
heart for the crucial games against teams around us in the League.
Selection will be interesting…….. should we “rest” key players, or
should we go for it and risk more injuries. We should certainly not
play anyone who is not 100% fit, but I suspect that Brett and the
coaching staff will be looking to field as strong a side as possible.
One thing is for certain……..if Lions continue to play as they are doing,
and given a fair rub of the green, Halifax will certainly not have
things all their own way.
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