Macclesfield 43, Stourbridge 19

STOUR got a fleeting glimpse of National One playing standards when they were comfortably beaten by National Two North champions Macclesfield last Saturday.

Trailing by three scores at the break, Stour dug deep and hit back with a brace of opportunist tries for centre James Otutaha and another for winger Ash Elvers. But they were unable to mount any sustained pressure in attack and shipped seven tries to clinical opponents who bounce back to National One at the first opportunity.

The first lineout saw their ex-DK scrum half Jordan Brookes dart down the right flank where a neat interchange of passes drew the defenders for flanker Matt Thorp to crash over, outside half Tom Eaton celebrating his 200th club appearance by converting.

Stour no.8 James Rodley broke from a scrum to set up Stour’s first foray into the Macc 22, a series of attacks failing to stress the hosts’ well-drilled defences though and outside-half Chris Scott’s drop-goal attempt flew wide. Stour declined a penalty kick at goal, opting for lineout feed in the corner but they coughed up possession with a knock-on. A steal at the tackle by flanker Billy Harding set up a clean break by winger Ash Elvers but the move died with a dropped pass. A repeat error proved costly when Macc recovered loose ball, Brookes’ inside pass to winger Matt King setting up a score for centre Matt O’Regan.

Only an obstruction call prevented Macc punishing a wayward pass as Stour continued to throw the ball around. They found holes in the Macc defensive line but their handling continued to let them down. Macc needed no second invitation to profit from such generosity, lineout ball in the Stour 22 setting up a move that saw the defences outflanked and King scoring in the corner. The half ended with Stour again in attack but they were turned over just short of the Macc line as the half ended with them 19-0 down.

The opening phases of the second half threatened more of the same as Rodley was turned over at the base of the scrum, but a deep infield clearance by centre James Otutaha bounced unkindly for Macc replacement Dan Lomax. Winger Josh Trinham pounced to feed the ball to Otutaha who crossed unhindered, Scott converting.

Macclesfield hit back soon after but Otutaha crossed again to cut the gap to 26-12.

Stour continued to fight as Elvers powered over in the corner late on. However, they were unable to mount another significant attack and the hosts hit home their advantage with well-worked tries for Rhod Mayor and Eaton.