By Easywriter
August 22 2003

The Sharks open their account for this season on the 22nd, but the Jets have already seen action. Looks like the rugby drought is nearly over!

Macclesfield v Sale Jets

Playing Macclesfield, newly promoted to National 3, and now led by player coach Dave Muckalt, was always going to be a stern examination for a very new, largely U19 Jets team; consequently it was designated a trial match of four twenty minute sessions.

With a big experienced pack at full strength Macclesfield concentrated extensively on forward play with strong runners intent on mauling their way forwards. Added to this in the early stages they had the majority possession. The young pack never stepped back and time and again they stopped the final man from crossing. Inevitably at some stages this broke down giving the forwards the majority of their tries. With other members of the pack coming on as substitute the Jets held their own. Throughout the game they scrimmaged well and produced good ball at the lineout.

The backs often had the better of their opponents with Mark Simpson-Daniel at 9 and James Moore at 10 were quicker and more inventive than their opposite numbers, and proved a handful for others.

Pick of the tries were (my opinion and I do not denigrate those not include)

1. Jets on the 25 S-D gave good pass to Moore who used sleight of hand to deceive and find space, passed the ball on with the winger given a clear run in.
2. Moore received good ball from S-D 60 yds out, sprinted through the gap between 9 & 12 and well into their half before drawing the fullback and handing a scoring pass out.
3. After several of the Jets forwards had bashed at the try line Briers came up to receive the pass out of the ruck, changed his line and brushed off several defenders to score near the posts.
4. In an attack on the blindside near the 25 the quick pass from the ruck was accepted by Oxley on the burst who beat the defence to score in the corner.

In the final minute Macclesfield scored probably their best try to up the count to 1 up.

Jets matches will continue to be played at HR and I would urge as many as possible to give support if it is feasible. We have very talented players in the pack as well as in the backs that deserve that support.

Easywriter