Macclesfield 38 Northwich Rugby Club 17, match report

Blacks were defeated 38-17 in a rain-hit encounter in which the home side adapted far better to the conditions, with the visitors making too many handling errors.

Northwich did start the brightest and from a driving maul Paddy Douglas peeled off to score a second-minute try.

It was the only point in the game though that they held a lead.

When the restart kick was allowed to bounce, and it was pounced on by Macclesfield, the hosts demonstrated how quickly they could counter, scoring a neat try that was converted.

Northwich discipline then let them down and Macclesfield took advantage to score two tries, with the second converted.

With only five minutes of the second half played Blacks were able to narrow the gap.

After an attacking lineout and a series of charges, Boitumelo Tsatsane broke the line and delivered a pass to Tom husbands for him to finish in style and convert his own try.

Within 10 minutes Macclesfield re-established their 14-point gap after some more Northwicch ill-discipline.

As the match moved into the final 10 minutes Rory Leijdekkers pounced on a loose ball, leading to a Northwich attack and some excellent handling was finished with Liam Batt providing Husbands with his second try.

With five minutes left Macclesfield created a driving maul and despite some determined defence the home side scored another unconverted try.

Liam Batt was sent off late on after remonstrating with the referee and from the penalty Macc produced a familiar score from a well-drilled lineout.

Northwich entertain Wirral in the county cup competition on Saturday, kick-off 2pm.

Northwich (15-9, 1-8): Taylor Haugh, Tom Husband, Boitumelo Tsatsane, Richard Dale, Eli Brizendine, Liam Batt, Austin Fernandez, Gabriel Sipapate, Eon Du Preez, Rory Leijdekkers, Patrick Douglas, Tom Clark, Anthony Keller, Sam Patterson, Joe Christian. Replacements: Jack England, Jordan Clarke, Jonny Pym