Rugby Lion’s at last secured their first win of the season with a comfortable victory over fellow strugglers Macclesfield at Webb Ellis Road. Rugby completely dominated the first half with the visitors struggling to get out of their own half, but it was Macclesfield who surprisingly took a six point lead with two penalties converted by fly half Winney in the first ten minutes. Lions soon replied with a penalty of their own by James Hawken to reduce the deficit to three points.

After conceding three interception tries so far this season, the tables were turned when a long pass just inside Mac’s half was intercepted by Dom Wareing who immediately fed Tommy Turner on his inside and following some juggling Tommy controlled the ball and raced through for a try. The conversion was missed to leave the score at 8-6 after 15 minutes.

Stuart Riding, who had a superb match, took the restart and galloped down the touchline to set up another attack. Rugby were camped in the visitor’s half for the rest of the first period and were only denied by some solid defence and the odd wayward pass at crucial times. The visitors were penalised in the shadow of the uprights and Hawken took the opportunity to increase Lion’s lead to 11-6. After constant pressure metres from the visitor’s try line, the inevitable score came from a forward drive with Rich Siveter claiming the touchdown. James Hawken made the conversion for a more comfortable looking lead at the interval.

James Hawken and Winney each slotted penalties before a flowing back’s move released Michael Rust down the left flank, but play was brought back for a forward pass. Macclesfield were struggling in the set-pieces, especially the line-out, and Lions continued to hog possession. After the visitors lost possession on half way, Turner chipped the ball into their 22. The last defender running back somehow knocked the ball forward as another Macclesfield player picked the ball up from an offside position. The penalty was put into touch 8 metres from the try line. James Wadey took the throw and the home pack set up an unstoppable drive to the line with Tristan Prosser-Shaw claiming his second try in two games. Hawken was successful with the conversion to make the game safe at 28-9 and with ten minutes remaining, make a four try bonus point a distinct possibility.

It was not to be, however and in fact Macclesfield’s replacement scrum half Davidson was allowed to run through from half way to score under the posts with the last play of the match.

A few seasons have gone by since Rugby Lions last found themselves at the bottom of a league table and this time it has been entirely unexpected. Fortunately there are 23 more games to be played before the season is done with and there is every reason for believing that our team’s true potential will be realised sooner rather than later.

Quite by chance, Macclesfield, Saturday’s visitors to Webb Ellis Road, are suffering a similarly poor run of results and like Rugby they have lost all three games. However they have picked up a losing bonus point from each game whereas Rugby have only earned the one from their last game at West Park.

Rugby and Macclesfield had never had any mutual fixtures before they encountered each other in this division three seasons ago, and since that time they have played four games. The games have always been closely contested with the Cheshire side winning three of them. The Lions solitary win was obtained at Webb Ellis Road last season.

Rugby came a step nearer playing the sort of rugby of which the squad is capable at West Park. Their patient supporters remain hopeful that another, much larger step, will be made on Saturday.