Macclesfield 39

Kirkby Lonsdale 3

A MUCH changed and somewhat depleted Kirkby Lonsdale slipped to defeat in their first ever visit to Macclesfield.

There were six changes from the one that walloped Carlisle at Underley Park last week with a first time partnership of Matty Kaye and Lewis Williamson in the crucial half back area and two 19-year-olds in the front row.

And the new look side could not build on that performance as they failed to match a full strength home side.

A tropical downpour drenched the sides as Macclesfield kicked off at their leafy and pleasant Priory Park ground.

And they wasted no time going ahead with a converted try after a long driving maul.

Kirkby came under further pressure but survived it and in a rare foray upfield got themselves on the board after 20 minutes with a Lewis Williams penalty.

But the majority of play was in the Kirkby half and it took resilient defence and some missed Macc chances to keep the score at 7–3 when the half time whistle.

And that wasn’t a bad score considering Kirkby faced the unenviable task of repeatedly tackling crash ball from the home side's 6’3” 19 stone ex-Namibian international Witness Mandizha.

The home side continued to press after the break with Kirkby mistakes not helping the cause, and Macc stretched their lead with a penalty.

That signalled the opening of the floodgates and Kirkby went on to concede five more tries without reply as the home side went on to complete an ultimately comfortable victory.

Kirkby's excellent travelling support went home disappointed and what should be a ear full strength side will hope to reward them with a better showing at Underley Park on Saturday against a newly promoted and resurgent Blackburn.