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Rugby Lion’s aspirations for
promotion were dealt a severe blow after losing to Macclesfield at
Priory Park. With all the other
three contenders winning, this drops Rugby down to fourth place in the
league, and effectively out of the promotion race.
The game was lost in the third
quarter, when the home side racked up 22 points, scoring three tries
from their wingers.
Lions opened the scoring in the
fifth minute through a penalty from James Hawken. Macclesfield responded
straight from the restart when Rugby lost the ball. The home pack then
ominously drove the visitors back a full thirty metres and over their
own line, with prop Goodfellow claiming the score. Ross Winney converted
to give Macclesfield a 7-3 lead.
Rugby’s lineout was working
well, and ten minutes later, from a short one, Lions returned the
compliment with a rolling maul which at the end contained no less than
thirteen players with only James Hawken and Tim Douglas not involved.
Sam Overton claimed the score and Hawken converted to put the Lions back
in the lead at 7-10. Hawken and Winney each slotted a penalty to end the
first half scoring.
Half Time: - Macclesfield 10
Rugby Lions 13
Rugby started the second half
with the elements slightly in their favour and soon extended their lead
with another penalty from James Hawken, but then the wheels came off in
spectacular fashion. First Winney reduced the deficit with a penalty and
then some very slack midfield defence allowed Macclesfield to slice
through and score three tries from Mursai (2) and Wilding. Winney
converted two to give the home side a 32-16 lead and effectively win the
game.
Rugby bought on replacements
Matt Davies, Dave Jackson, Dom Wareing and Danny Facer to try and turn
things around, although the game looked out of reach at this stage.
Lions came back in the last
quarter, and some lovely interplay between Paul Thompson and Ade Hales
from their own 22, freed the supporting Alex Nash who was hauled down
only five metres short of the try line and the ball was lost forward.
Tommy Booth, who had a fine game at number eight, picked up from the
base of the scrum and showed his strength by crashing over the line,
aided by a few team mates.
James Hawken again converted to
reduce the deficit and at least give some respectability to the score
line.
This was another disappointing
performance by Rugby who were again out-fought up front and showed
little flair and imagination in their play. It was also a vital victory
for Macclesfield and gives them a bit of breathing space in their fight
to avoid the relegation zone.
Next Saturday sees the visit to
Webb Ellis Road of lowly Orrell, who should give the Lions a chance to
regain some confidence and improve their points difference. |
