Fight back earns bonus point

A first meeting with Macclesfield since the 2009/10 season, when we were both in National League 2 North.

A bad start for Kendal as the team coach was delayed on the journey, and did not arrive until 2.10. Kick-off was delayed by fifteen minutes to 3.15, with the help of recently installed floodlighting.

It did not get any better when the game started, as the kick off went straight to touch, allowing Macclesfield to attack from the resulting scrum, and win a penalty for handling at the ruck, to open the scoring after just two minutes. 3v0

Despite their league position, Macclesfield, reputedly with a few new recruits since the start of the season, looked a very well drilled team, but were helped for their opening try by a few missed tackles. 10v0

Another error set up the second try. The Kendal lineout throw was missed by all the jumpers, and gathered by Macclefield to set up an attack. A try looked certain before Ben Dixon got back for a tackle near the line, but the ball was recycled for a try. 17v0.

Finally Kendal came back into the game, and started tp play at pace, with Mattie Kaye moving the ball quickly and forwards and backs testing the Macclesfield defence. With the defence holding firm, Dan Lowther chiped the ball ahead, and gathered his own kick to score, then added the conversion. 17v7 after twenty minutes.

The next Macclesfield try was all their own work, with the Kendal defence putting in tackles to stop a number of runs, only for the ball to be quickly offloaded to another player. 24v7.

The Macclesfield pack were getting the upperhand and following a scrum penalty a kick was put into the Kendal twenty two. The attempt to gather the ball was misfielded, and a Macclesfield player following up was able to go over for the try. 29v7.

At the end of the first half more Macclesfield pressure saw their hooker go over from very short range 35v7 at half time,

Kendal stayed out and the full bench was brought on at half time with Alex Ryder replacing Liam Hayton, Aaron Stephens making his debut in place of Mckenzie Cousins, with Dan Lowther moving into the centre and Ignacio Cisint going fullback, whilst Tadhg Butler replaced Robbie Colinson, with Dan Reid moving to hooker and Joe Lashley taking on the lineout throws.

Macclesfield opened the scoring after four minutes of the half, with a number of Kendal players slipping as they went for tackles. 43v7.

Another lost Kendal lineout throw set up the next try, with the Macclesfield scrum half powering down the touchline for the score. 48v7

A touchline prediction at halftime of fifty points looked optimistic, but again the team re-grouped and came back

Kendal attacks put pressure on the Macclesfield line, with Tadhg Butler prominent. Despite being thirty-nine points up, Macclesfield conceded a string of penalties when illegally trying to stop Kendal attacks, and finally the young referee (who had a good game) patience ran out, and a Macclesfield prop saw a yellow card.

The resulting penalty was taken quickly and moved to the left wing with Aaron Stephens getting the ball to Ignacio Cisint, who broke through and gave the scoring pass to Dan Shorrock. Dan Lowther added the conversion from a wide angle. 48v14.

Better was to follow. More good handling from Aaron Stephens, put Alistair Thompson into space and he raced to the line for the score. With a try scoring bonus point in sight, Dan Lowther drop kicked the conversion. 48v21

There was not long to wait. There was another break by Ignacio Cisint, and when the ball came to Dan Lowther he put a kick to the corner for Dan Shorrock to chase. First it looked as if the bounce would take the ball harmlessly in to touch, but it stayed in, then Shorrock had to juggle with the ball above his head, but he managed to control it, to gather and touch down for the bonus point. 48v26.

Restored to fifteen Macclesfield re-gained control, but had been well punished for their earlier tactics.

Macclesfield added another try from good handling as the game to an end for a 53v26 victory.

With Halloween two days away, a bit of a Jekyll and Hyde performance (or if I could find out who the line “When they were good they were very very good, and when they were bad they were ...” referred to)

It was suggested before the game I needed to be more upbeat and positive about performances, but it is difficult when so many of the points scored against us, came from our own errors.

The reality however was Macclesfield looked a very good well organised team, and whilst a number of their scores came from weak tackling, for far more of the game the defence had to be at its best to keep Macclesfield out. On his return (sadly for only a short period before he jets away) Ben Dixon got few chances in attack, but reminded us what he can do in defence, often making a tackle and being back on his feet for another.

With all three of the first choice back row, plus Dan Greenwood missing, Alistair Thompson again put in a quality performance. Mattie Kaye had a good game moving the ball quickly, especially in the period leading up to the first half try, looking for gaps in the defence, and putting in tackles on much bigger opponents. Dan Lowther had another good game, and Ignacio Cisint looks dangerous whenever he has the ball, and with those around him now beginning to get into support his runs, he is making space and opportunities for them.

It is a gamble bringing the young players in, and they will make mistakes, but hopefully they are learning from the experience, and with advice and coaching from those more experienced around them, they will be the club’s future. Aaron Stephens and Tadhg Butler both showed great promise when they came on (as has Barney Coxon in recent games, whilst McKenzie Cousins took his two earlier tries well). Players like Reece Tomlinson, Matt Houghton and Chris Park took all time to develop into the players they have become.

If only we could fix the lineout ...

MAN OF THE MATCH VOTE

Alistair Thompson

Third time in four weeks, and again well deserved for another action packed performance in attack and defence. Opening up an otherwise solid defence, for the third try.

Alistair just edged out debutant Aaron Stephens who played a key part in the tries for the comeback

Five others picked up at least a vote, but all well behind the two "A"s

OTHER RESULTS

Going as expected

One glimmer of hope for next weekend was Burnage got with 9 points of next weekend's opponents Manchester

TABLE

The bonus point takes us up a place, but remember Northwich have yet to play either of the bottom two.