Steve Wood reports on a 92-0 thrashing at the hands of Macclesfield for Northwich RUFC...

IT is hard to know where to start with this report following the second drubbing in as many weeks.

Firstly we need to address the elephant in the room (at the club). After significant investment, time and energy, our premier pitch has had new drainage and has been weeded and fed.

However. the contractors have failed to level the pitch effectively and therefore we are still two weeks away from being able to grace the pitch.

With a team of volunteers on hand as well as the presence of our Minis and Juniors, all looked set for a splendid afternoon.

Sadly, the growing number of absentees meant that Northwich were unable to field a side capable of making any real impression.

On a positive note, it was great to welcome back Mike Bradshaw, Joe Maddocks, Will du Randt and Tom Wood, providing Northwich with some optimism for the future.

The first half provided the faithful with some reason to be optimistic – Blacks were able to secure ball and ask some questions of our illustrious opposition.

However, this was not enough to provide any real scoring chances and the visitors were able to score four tries – three of which were converted – without reply, giving Macclesfield a 26-0 lead at the break.

Any hopes Blacks had for the second half were quickly dashed as the visitors tore into the home defences, scoring no fewer than 10 tries as Northwich were completely overwhelmed.

Macclesfield produced some sparkling rugby, demonstrating how tough this division will be.

Further injuries to skipper Richard Dale, Ellis Vickery and Anthony Keller coupled with two yellow cards only served to compound the issues and it was a relief to hear the final whistle.

Head coach Andy Roberts will be hoping that some of the absentees return in time for Saturday's trip to Sandal.

Northwich: Joe Maddocks, Mike Gough, Ben Ridgway, Rory Williams, Mike Bradshaw, Aaron Collins, Ellis Vickery, Fraser Dodd; Richard Hart, Tom Wood; Tom Merrick, Richard Dale, Anthony Keller, Kyle Clarke, Will du Randt. Subs: Mark Thompson, Alfie Sinclair, Tom Wilson