The lead changed 3 times in the 1st half leaving Harrogate with just a point advantage at the interval. Macclesfield then came out all guns blazing but it took them 25 minutes to edge ahead with a penalty goal. A Harrogate converted try restored their lead with 7 minutes of desperate Macclesfield attacks remaining in normal time. A late Macclesfield penalty gave them an attacking line-out but Harrogate stole the ball and set up a series of driving defensive mauls to retain possession and win an emotionally draining match.

Good early Macclesfield scrummaging put Harrogate under pressure but this was counterbalanced by Harrogate’s line-out superiority. A penalty gave Harrogate an attacking line-out from which they set up a series of driving mauls. The Macclesfield defence came in from the side and Sam Fox’s penalty gave Harrogate an early lead. Attacking play from both sides tested each other’s defences with powerful runs from Harrogate’s Sam Brady. However, Macc No8 Jordan Simpson was the next to score with a well controlled drive from a 5 metres scrum and Will Davies’s conversion put them
3-7 ahead.

At this stage good Macc scrummaging continued to pressurise the home set piece but No8, Jonny Coser picked up brilliantly from a retreating scrum to set up a counter attack. Scintillating backs play took them into Macc’s half forcing their defence to go offside and Fox’s penalty made it 6-7. From another Harrogate line-out steal, Brady drove and linked well with winger Sam Parry, a former Macclesfield player. A Macc high tackle was penalised and Harrogate spread quick ball from the attacking line-out. Enough space was created for Parry to score a and put Harrogate 11-7 ahead. It was then Macc’s turn to win a penalty from driving mauls to make it 11-10.

Harrogate continued to attack for the remaining 10 minutes of the half but failed to breach Macc’s good defence. The home dynamic back row of Coser, Martin Dodds and Hugo Tasker created good attacking ball and full back, Oli Rosillo linked well to make the extra man in attack. Merc Mercer made an impressive debut to combine with Fox in the centre. The half back combination of Phil Wickham and Danny Matthews was as creative as ever, Parry gave an extra attacking edge and Luke Edwards gave his usual action man performance in attack and defence. In the final move of the half, Harry Oliver nearly scored from a great Macc counter attack but was forced into touch near the corner flag.

From the restart, both teams battered at each other’s excellent defences. Macc did have the lion’s share of possession but Harrogate consistently won turnover ball at crucial times to counter attack and keep the Macc defence honest. However, the Macc scrum eventually won a penalty which was kicked to restore their lead at 11-13. It’s not normal policy for me to highlight Harrogate penalty offences but, when the offender is our DOR, the temptation is just too much. Doc Doherty was penalised for lifting a man in the tackle enabling Macc to clear their line but Dodds again stole their attacking line-out and Harrogate were back on the attack. Successive driving mauls followed with the Macc defence holding out well till Andy Boyde powered over for a converted try. This proved to be the last score of the match but the game was by no means over. The final 10 minutes were spent in Harrogate’s 22 where the forwards denied Macc possession with an absolute masterclass of driving mauls and ball retention.

Harrogate: Rosillo, Edwards, Mercer, Fox, Parry, Matthews, Wickham, Musetti, Driscoll, Maycock, Brady, Hannam, Doddds, Tasker, Coser. Subs:- Boyde, Heaton, Doherty

Macclesfield: Hall, Laing, H Oliver, Broster, Milne, Davies, Stelmaszer, Percival, Moss, Irvin, Mandizha, Redfearn, Harrison, J Oliver, Simpson. Subs:- Robinson, Rees, Thorp

Referee: Matt Riley (North)

Match report by Bill Barrack