LASTTIMEOUT: FYLDE TAKE AWAY BIG MAC WIN
Macclesfield 19 v Fylde 21: report by Simon Taylor
replaced, youngster Max Senior offered a big chunk of game time to make an impression, which he immediately did with a good line out steal. Fylde knew a single score was unlikely to be enough playing with the elements and were able to forge further ahead on 30 minutes. A Macc line-out went astray and scrum half Gabe Maguire sniped up to near the Macc line, and with the home defence unable to organise in time, Sam Parker showed his eye for the prize by sneaking over under the posts for his and Fylde’s second try. Will Hunt took over kicking duties and knocked over the conversion to make it 14-0. Macc, with former Fylde favourite Steve Burnage as Chairman of Rugby, are hardworking, disciplined and well organised and they worked up the pitch again and forced a scrum on Fylde’s 22. The initial phases of attack were defended well but Macc stayed patient until left winger Manu Shute found enough of a gap to touch down for an unconverted try on 37 minutes, reward for their hard work into the wind. Fylde’s kick off went dead; they then conceded a scrum penalty and Macc worked into the 22 for a last chance to reduce the deficit before the break. However, line out throwing was difficult in the conditions and another one went astray, meaning Fylde took their 14-5 lead into the break. The lead looked slender given the conditions, and Fylde knew stout defence and good game management would be needed as they now turned around to play into the wind. However, this game plan went awry immediately when the re-start was knocked on by Fylde and picked up by a player in front, giving Macc a penalty. They kicked this to touch 5 out, set up the catch and drive, and rumbled towards the line. The drive was halted illegally, the referee ran under the posts for the penalty try and was duty bound to dish out the first yellow of the day, Corey Bowker the man picked out. With nearly 40 minutes to defend into the teeth of a gale, Fylde now had only a 14-12 lead and were a man down for 10 minutes.
A 73rd minute Lewis Quinn try, nervelessly converted by Will Hunt, secured a narrow victory for Fylde, who preserved their unbeaten start to the season, and spoiled Macclesfield’s 100% start at the same time. Fylde showed great character to overcome missing players, a string of penalties, notably in the scrum, 2 yellow cards to none, and battled into a strong wind to secure the winning score after losing the lead. Storm Amy was battering the Fylde coast as the squad, minus at least eight regulars through injury, suspension or unavailability, travelled over to the picturesque setting of Priory Park to take on Macclesfield for the first time in 6 years. A strong wind straight down the park was behind Fylde’s back as they kicked off, talisman Dave Fairbrother leading the team again in the absence of Toby Harrison. Fylde started quickly after Macclesfield had cleared to touch from the kick off. The line-out catch and drive was set up only for hooker Sam Parker to catch the home defence cold by peeling off early and touching down. Danny Cassidy converted and within 2 minutes Fylde were 7-0 up. An early sign of things to come came in the second scrum of the day when Fylde popped up under pressure and conceded a penalty. Macc full back Dan Leake then made their first meaningful break of the day only to knock on in the tackle. The pattern of play for the day was set, as the team playing into the wind, Macc in the first half, sought to keep the ball and work up field, knowing any lost ball would likely be hoofed downfield with the aid of the 40-mph wind. Fylde were at times guilty of being too impatient when they didn’t have the ball, leading to a high penalty count, and Macc’s knock on errors were not being punished as the Fylde scrum was under too much pressure, either having to get ball out very quickly while on the back foot, or conceding penalties. A great turnover penalty by Sam Stott did lead to the chance to stretch the lead on 13 minutes but Cassidy’s attempt drifted wide. The arm wrestle continued until an easier penalty attempt was offered on 27 minutes but once again Cassidy’s radar was off target. To make matters worse, Mike Walton was injured in the lead up to the penalty, and he had to be
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