Blaydon 39 – Macclesfield 0

Bottom of the table Macclesfield had little answer to the powerful Blaydon pack. particularly in the face of a driving maul, and the only surprise was that they only conceded 6 tries. They lacked nothing in endeavour but were woefully short of penetration, only once crossing the Blaydon 22 and that from a home tap-down at a line-out. Full-back Phil Stewart retrieved that situation with a brilliant covering tackle and otherwise all the entertainment was at the other end.

Andrew Baggett got the ball rolling with a penalty and then created the opening try with a delightful chip into the 22. Two defenders looked to have it covered until Tom Bramwell arrived at speed to out-jump them and cross near the posts.

Gavin Jones added a second from a line-out drive and at the break it was 17-0, a relatively modest return from a lot of opportunities.

Macclesfield who had defended well thus far now crumbled in the face of some excellent running by the young Blaydon backs. Try number 3 however was entirely down to the forwards who were heading for the line at great speed when the drive was pulled down. A yellow card resulted and at the next drive Shaun English went over.

Centre Toby Bain grabbed the bonus point try, Baggett landing his third conversion, quickly followed by replacement hooker Fran Entressengle after a brilliant cross-field break by Nat Horsfall.

The visitors were still gamely giving it everything at the end but they really had no answer to the Blaydon maul and, inevitably it seemed, the final score arrived from more forward pressure, this time Chris Wearmouth the beneficiary.

John Brennan