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Sedgley Park 2nd XV  64 pts  Macclesfield 2nd XV 10 pts

This was my first look at the Seconds this season; it won’t be the last.

A breathtaking first half produced eight tries, including one for visitors who had few answers to the pace and fitness of the Sedgley team. The two Matts (Lamprey and an impressively fit-looking Smith) repeatedly broke the gain-line tackles. Accurate handling and some creative running-lines did the rest. High speed rugby, great to watch and fun to play, surely.

With scrum-half Harrison providing a smooth service, the experienced midfield trio of De Jager, O’Hare and Morris simply ran the show. Yes, this was the same Paul Morris who, in an earlier millennium, scored a wonder try when the ‘Minnows from the North’ stunned mighty Blackheath; happy memories, good to see him back, and no Fijians on the Macc team to spoil his day.

With all this ability inside them, naturally the wingers prospered, and Des Williams scored a hat-trick of tries on his debut at this level. He showed some pace and nimble footwork.

47-5 at half-time, but there was some easing off in the second half. Given a little space and time, Macclesfield showed that they could also play rugby. That their best period coincided with Richard Senior’s introduction from the bench was surely just that – a coincidence.

So that’s four wins on the trot for our boys. Next week they are at home to Lymm and hope to kick off early, before the 1st XV play Northampton. And before England v Australia would be good.