Cheshire Independent Issue 187

MAY 2024 18 Independent LOCAL SPORT MACCLESFIELDFC’spro- motionhopes remain alive and kicking after the Silk- men secured a NPL Pre- mier Division playoff spot. Macc’s participation in the end-of-season push was con- firmed after Michael Clegg’s side produced a second half turnaround to take all THE King’s School’s t r amp o l i ne t e am are once again f ly- ing high after lifting four team titles in the national championships. A total of four teams won gold medals, claiming the title of National Champions, with a further five teams tak- ing silver medals. The Macclesfield school’s Year 1 to 6 novice team, who were ‘honoured and excited’ to be competing in the same event as Princess Charlotte, were Gracie Russell, Sophia Shaw, Eva Tarplee and Ava Greenway. They were delighted to take first place. Held at the Telford Inter- national Centre, it was another bumper day for the young men and women in blue coached by the ever-in- spiring Rachael Burrows. The following teams won the national title: Year 7-9 intermediate girls: Tilly Fox, Lily Hardcastle, Sophia Kong, Connie O’Doherty. Years 10-14 intermediate Boys: Otis Hughes, Benito Golia-Foxley, Joseph Bai- ley Heald and Matt Gass. THE King’s School’s under-14 netball team capped a successful season by coming fourth in the National Schools’ Netball Finals. Held at Oundle School near Peterborough, the event fea- tured the crème de la crème of young British netball talent. County and regional champions took part and just quali- fying alone ranked King’s in the top 18 schools nationwide. The Macclesfield school lost out after extra time in the semi-final, being defeated 12-13 by the tournament’s even- tual winners Birkhamstead. It did, however, cap another outstanding season, with King’s first lifting the county round of The National Schools’ tournament on their home courts, winning all six matches. The team then went on to triumph in the North West finals and also won the Cheshire County Tournament at Winsford. EDITOR GedHenderson ged@hendersonnewsandmedia.com ADVERTISING RobinAtkins 07767 840274 robin@cheshireindependent.co.uk CLASSIFIED JayneMeadowcroft 01204 478812 or 07703 045189 jayne@independentnewspapers.co.uk CONTACT US No part of this publicationmay be used or reproducedwithout theexpresspermissionof the publisher. Every e!ort is made to ensure that the articles and advertisements that are carried are authentic, however the publisher accepts no responsibility for claims made. © Investors in Publishing Ltd 2024. This newspaper is publishedmonthly by Investors in Publishing, Publishing House, 3 Bridgebank Industrial Estate,Taylor Street, Horwich, Bolton BL6 7PD. 01204 478812 Just champion! AFTER five years of waiting Macclesfield RUFC will be back play- ing National Two rugby next season. The Blues clinched the Regional 1 North West title and promotion with a resounding 57-15 victory over Penrith at Priory Park that sparked scenes of cele- bration among players and spectators. Tom Burden, playing his 100th and pos- sibly his last game for Mac- clesfield, had the final say on the pitch, converting a try from the touchline with Alive and kicking! Silkmen secure a playoff spot three points against Basford United. It was his 500th game in management and he saw his team clinch their play-off place with four games of the regular season to go. Clegg and his staff will now be looking for a strong finish from the Silkman, who bowed out of the FA Trophy at the semi-final stage, los- ing 2-1 at National League side Gateshead. Radcliffe won’t be tak- ing part in the play-offs after clinching the league title with a 2-1 win at Whitby Town. Macclesfield have also moved to strengthen the squad for that final push. Young Fleetwood Town defender Kayden Hughes has arrived at the Leasing. com Stadium on loan until the end of the season. The 18-year-old joined the League One side over seven years ago at U12s level, and has gone on to progress through their academy. And he was rewarded with his first professional contract in October, running until the summer of 2025. A loan switch to the Leas- ing.com Stadium marks Hughes’ first move into men’s football, and he will feature alongside former Fleetwood team-mate Drew Baker. Ma c c l e s f i e l d a l s o announced the signing of goalkeeper Ollie Byrne. He arrived at the Leasing.com Stadium following his depar- ture from National League side Altrincham. Hitting the heights SCHOOL SPORTS SPECIAL Top squad: The King’s School’s trampoline high-!yers Netball team courts success the final kick of the match. Head coach Darren Lamond described the league title win as a “massive squad effort” highlighting the fact that 38 players had been involved dur- ing the season. Planning for the new campaign is already under- way. A club spokesperson said: “We don’t know yet which division we will be allocated, but either way, it will be a massive away trav- elling budget. “Plans are afoot to create sponsorship opportunities for the club, players and home and away matches. “If you know of a company that would wish to align itself with a successful community sporting brand, please ask them to get in touch.” Years 9-10 Boys’ Novice: Kaan Kafescioglu, Noah Golia-Foxley, Zac Al Aussi and Cody Storey. King’s second place teams were: Years 10-14 Elite Girls: Leah Shadwell, Lottie Clark, Alice Jordan and Iona Wha- ley. Years 11-14 Girls’ Nov- ice: Emily Burton, Sophia Calderwood, Hannah Ross and Samantha Morrison. Years 1-6 Boys’ novice: Max Clements, Henry Conibere, Luke Mooney and Saxon Lewis. Years 7-8 Boys’ nov- ice: Blake Denham, Harry Irving, Tom Heseltine and Jacob Mooney. Year 9-10 Girls’ Novice: Mimi Tatum, Daisy Weston, Izzy Challinor and Claudia Williams. King’s Year 7-9 Elite Girls team placed fourth: Lucy Clegg, Lottie Baxter, Charlotte Grant and Elis- sia Smith. The school also had num- ber of top-class individual places, with Otis Hughes and Tilly Fox coming second in their categories. James Heald and Kaan Kafescioglu plac- ing third. Coach Rachael Burrows said: “It was an incredibly successful and enjoyable day with so many highs.”