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THE CHAMPAGNE corks were popping come the final whistle at Kendal's Mint Bridge ground as Macclesfield celebrated clinching the National League 2 North title with a 40-14 victory.
But Kendal kept the Cheshire side - accompanied by big travelling support - up to their work to gain automatic promotion. And only two late tries conceded in the last five minutes put a gloss on the final score for the league leaders, who ground out a result. Kendal showed tremendous application and endeavour throughout and put the first points on the board with a Mark Ireland penalty. True, they had to defend for long periods in the first half, but did so tenaciously as Macclesfield perhaps displayed a few nerves. However, remorseless forward play brought an unconverted try in the corner from prop Martin Kent after 16 minutes and Macclesfield added a second ten minutes later as flanker Daniel Baines went over, this time converted, for a 12-3 lead. When Kendal prop Richard Harryman was yellow-carded, Macclesfield scored a third through scrum-half Thomas Eaton, although Ireland stroked over two well-taken penalties either side of that score to keep his side in touch at 19-9 down at half time. The second half began well for Kendal with a terrific passage of play up the right touchline. It was Macclesfield's turn to be reduced to 14 men as winger Jamie Postlethwaite was shoulder-charged into touch as he almost burst clear, leading to Eaton's sinbinning. Kendal maintained the advantage with a catch and drive and a textbook maul over the visitors' line for prop Billy Coxon to touch down, cutting the gap to 19-14. Macclesfield proved lethal once inside the 22 with another converted try on the hour,flanker Evan Stewart surging over, earning the bonus-point at 26-14. Kendal had plenty of possession but could not make it tell afterwards and the two late scores from centre Richard Hughes and lock-forward Alan Marsh, gave the scoreline a false look at the finish. Fly-half Ross Winney converted five of the six tries. Kendal were saying farwell and good luck to scrum-half James Gough who is emigrating, along with Rob Aloe, Matt Gracie and Reece Tomlinson. |
