The long trip up the A1 to Crow Trees proved fruitful as the Blues recorded another ‘double’ in this successful first season in National One and although I didn’t manage the trip on this occasion, I understand that the squad were good value for the five points and we all now look forward to the return match with Wharfedale who created a mini shock on Saturday when they beat high flying Cambridge 31-28 to put a dent in the Blood & Sands promotion aspirations.

Elsewhere in National One unbeaten Barking had a surprise at the Butts Park Arena when Coventry came within a whisker of a shock losing to the last kick of the game by 19-18 whilst London Scottish powered to another crushing win when they beat Stourbridge 55-13 and the game between Barking & the Exiles on 19 March really looks like a likely title decider with the current form of both sides.

Rosslyn Park beat Tynedale 43-38 in an 11 try classic and Blackheath beat Sedgley Park 25-9 down in the Smoke. Redruth continued their winning run with a 34-25 home victory over Otley in a game which could go a long way to deciding who leaves the league at the wrong end.  In another relegation encounter Launceston beat Cinderford 22-18.

Just a little aside now and it’s a comment on the outstanding discipline so far this campaign by the Blues.  Clearly the coaching team and players have taken on board the importance of retaining 15 players on the park at all times and the present statistics now over half way through the season show that Macclesfield so far have the best record in National One with just 9 yellow cards so far this season.  Compare that with Launceston, 19 yellow and 1 red, Rosslyn Park 17 yellow and 2 red.  Only Redruth come near to us with 10 yellow and, believe it or not when we played them it was a yellow apiece!!   Keep up the record lads.

I, for once in a while, enjoyed the atmosphere of a local cup tie at Priory Park when the Lions took on a Stockport side who had earlier beaten them in a league encounter but on the day it was the Lions who came out on top to the tune of 50-12.  This means that in the Quarter Final of the Raging Bull Cup on 23 March the Lions will entertain Altrincham Kersal under lights at Priory Park.  Watch this column or the club web site for kick off details.  In the other Quarter Final games of this competition Fylde 2 take on Lymm 2, Preston Grasshoppers 2 take on Broughton Park 2 and in the other game it sees Birkenhead Park 2 entertain Sedgley Park 2.  Remember that the Lions are holders of this cup and they will be looking to make it three final wins on the run.

For reports on more games involving Macclesfield sides, please see Rugby Notes from 'Clubman' Part 2.