Cheshire Independent Issue 212

APRIL 2026 20 LOCAL RUGBY ROUND-UP Independent LOCAL SPORT PLAY-OFF pushing Macclesfield FC have received a boost in their bid to crash the end of season promo- tion party in National League North. The Silkmen have MACCLESFIELD’S push for a league play-off place suffered a setback on the road as they fell to a 36–14 defeat against Tynedale in difficult, gusty conditions. Despite moments of attack- ing promise and strong per- formances in the backline, Macclesfield were ultimately undone by Tynedale’s for- ward dominance and clinical finishing, particularly during a decisive first half. The result leaves Maccles- field facing a difficult path in the race for the National League 2 North play-offs, there were positives to take from the contest. Director of Rugby Matt Coleridge admitted frus- tration after the match but remained confident in the squad’s ability to respond in the closing weeks of the season. He told the club’s offi- cial website: “This level of rugby is unforgiving – if you don’t take your chances, you risk falling behind on the scoreboard and that’s what happened.” Coleridge also pointed to discipline and defensive accuracy as key factors. “Our missed tackle and penalty count was too high which just gave them field position too easily, and they were more clinical. Fair play to Tynedale.” Attention now turns to the final five fixtures of the season, with the play-off challenge still mathemati- cally possible. Coleridge said: “We haven’t quite found the mojo we had before Christmas yet. But there are five games left and it’s make or break now. “We have to find some- thing in ourselves in these last few games. I know it’s there within this squad – it’s just a case of clicking at the right time.” In Northern Division – Regional 2 North West, spir- ited Sandbach made league leaders North Ribblesdale work hard for their win. The visitors ran out 37-22 winners but Sandbach remain firmly in the play- off hunt with three league games to go. The highly anticipated top- of-the-table clash between first and second lived up to its billing. It was North Ribblesdale’s first ever visit to Bradwall Road, and they handed the Bach their first home loss of the season. Sandbach led at the end of the first half, but the Yorkshire outfit came out stronger in the second half to see off a spirited home side and take the five points, cementing their posi- tion at the top of the table. The Bach dropped down to third, but remain firmly in the playoff hunt. George Cole returned to the home team after an injury, replacing Harry Leese. Cole was on the wing for his first appearance of 2026, with Matt Randle shifting to full-back. Sandbach match report by Rhys Fullerton LOCAL CRICKET ROUND-UP THE countdown is on to the start of Chesh- ire’s 2026 county cricket campaign. Cheshire will once again compete across three tour- naments – with the same match formats as 2025. White ball competitions are split across the KO Trophy (50 overs) and T20s during the first part of the summer, with the red ball championship matches tak- ing place from late July. The season gets under- way on April 26, with Cheshire in KO Trophy Group One competing with Cambridgeshire, Suffolk, Shropshire, and Cumbria. The top two in the group will progress to the quarter final stage. There are two long away trips in the championship with three-day games against Dorset and Corn- wall, while the county will host Shropshire and Wales NC. Work towards the start of the season is underway with the county’s nets sessions up and running at Total Sport in Ashton-under-Lyne. Planning is well under- way ahead of the first game in the 50-over Trophy at Peterborough – despite some of the players are still overseas. Getting set for the season Play-off hopes dented Spirited: Sandbach make league leaders work for win (Photo credit: Josh Randle) Loan boost for the Silkmen Defender Pasiek extends his stay Impressed: John Rooney now has the defender for the rest of the campaign The 18-year-old forward arrives until the end of the campaign from the Wham Stadium, where he has made 12 senior appearances for John Doolan’s side. He was on the scoresheet in the Carabao Cup for Stanley against Oldham Athletic at the start of the season. Loans to fellow Enterprise National League North sides Marine and Chorley have seen Popoola’s devel- opment progress during this season. He was recalled from his loan at Victory Park towards the end of February and has had a consistent place in the first-team squad since then. Meanwhile, Rooney has been shortlisted for the Enterprise National League North Manager of the Month for February. confirmed that Kacper Pasiek’s loan from Champi- onship club Preston North End has been extended to the end of the season. The 20-year-old left-sided defender’s deal also includes an option to be extended if Macclesfield reach the National League play-offs. Pasiek joined the Silkmen, sitting in sixth place in the league table, from Preston at the end of January on an initial one-month loan deal with an option to extend. During his time at the Leasing.com Stadium the young full back has impressed manager John Rooney, and as a result, the club has activated the option to secure his services for the remainder of the campaign. Pasiek made the best possible start to life with the Silkmen, scoring on his debut against Bedford Town – before starting in the next two successive fixtures against Kidder- minster Harriers and Leamington. All three fixtures resulted in vic- tory, which Kacper con- tributed to significantly. He was then included in the match day squad for our Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round tie against Brent- ford and has since gone on to feature from the off in league games against Kings Lynn Town and Scarbor- ough Athletic. Macclesfield have also announced the signing of 20-year-old midfielder Theo Chapman from Scarbor- ough Athletic. A product of the Barnsley FC Academy, he has made 22 appearances in all competi- tions this season following his departure fromOakwell. Chapman was on the scoresheet for the Yorkshire side earlier in the season against Guisborough Town in the North Riding Sen- ior Cup. Rooney’s squad strength- ening has also seen the arrival of loan signing Anjola Popoola fromAccring- ton Stanley.