Caldy 13-15 Macclesfield

Mar 31 2010 by Our Correspondent, Birkenhead News

MACCLESFIELD edged Caldy in the Cheshire derby to do the double over Caldy and put even more pressure on leaders Loughborough Students after a 15-13 win.

In a nervy affair it was Macclesfield goal kicker, Ross Winney, who made the difference as his four penalties and a drop goal proved enough on a windswept day at Priory Park.

Macclesfield got off to a flier when Winney found plenty of space on the edge of the Caldy 22 metre line to slot over a drop goal.

This was followed on 11 minutes with a well taken penalty after Caldy were adjudged to have held onto the ball. Caldy got back into the game immediately from the kick off as they turned over Macclesfield ball and were awarded a penalty which Vasey coolly kicked to leave the score 6-3.

The penalty count against Caldy was somewhat high and they were duly punished by Winney further on 29 and 34 minutes to stretch Macclesfield’s half time lead to 12-3.

In the second half, Caldy had the wind as well as the bulk of possession but despite scoring two tries were unable to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat due to an excellent Macclesfield defence.

On 43 minutes, Shaun Woof scored a try in the left hand corner after a mazy run by Gavin Roberts who fed Kerfoot before he linked with Woof to score out wide.

Vasey was unable to convert. On 48 minutes, Winney notched what turned out to be the game winning penalty after John Broxson was adjudged to have held onto the ball on the floor in what appeared a harsh decision.

Paul Arnold scored his 21st try of the season in the 80th minute of the game after considerable Caldy pressure and Vasey narrowly missed the conversion to tie the game and leave the score 15-13 to Macclesfield.