Cheshire Independent Issue 211

MARCH 2026 20 LOCAL RUGBY ROUND-UP Independent LOCAL SPORT SALE Sharks have signed powerful Flying Fijian back- rower Elia Canakaivata on a two-year deal from the start of next season. The versatile 29-year-old, who can play on either flank or at num- ber eight, currently stars in Super Rugby for the Fijian Drua, where he has played since 2023. Known for his powerful car- ries and breakdown dominance, Elia was originally part of Fiji’s extended sevens programme and represented Suva in the Skipper Cup, Fiji’s top provin- cial competition. His breakthrough on the interna- tional stage came in Dubai in 2021 with the Fiji Sevens team, where he went on to winmultiple World Sev- ens Series titles and a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games. He made the transition to the 15-a-side game and made such an impact that he earned Fiji’s Players’ Player of the Year award in 2025. In total he has played 20 times for Fiji, and started in the number seven shirt in their defeat to Eng- land in the recent Autumn Series. He told the club’s official website: “I’m excited about coming to play for a club like Sale Sharks in the Prem. It’s a great competition and a club with a lot of history and it’s a great opportunity for me to expe- rience something different. “I love the physical side of the game so I think I will suit the style of Sale Sharks. I know Bill Mata from the national team so I’m looking forward to playing against him.” MACCLESFIELD main- tained their play-off posi- tion with a hard-fought 36 –28 victory away at Billingham. The side saw immense resil- ience to overturn a second-half deficit and claim a crucial five- point win. In a contest that swung back and forth throughout, the Blues were forced to dig deep after trailing from just before half- time until the closing stages, eventually sealing the win with two late tries and a penalty in a dramatic final ten minutes. The victory keeps Maccles- field second in the National League 2 North standings and saw them bounce back from a 38-7 away defeat at the hands of in-form Hull Ionians. Speaking after the Billing- ham match, Macclesfield’s director of rugby Matt Coler- idge praised his side’s compo- sure and mentality. He told the club’s official website: “We have to remind ourselves that we have set new standards for ourselves this season. “We expect to win against mid-table teams, but it’s a lot easier said than done, espe- cially coming here to Billing- ham with such a physical side and a great crowd. “I’m proud of the boys for MACCLESFIELD’S FA Cup dream may have been dashed by Pre- mier League Brentford but John Rooney’s team won a host of admirers for their amazing run in the competition. Brentford recorded a nar- row 1-0 victory in the fourth- round tie at the Leasing.com Stadium in the cruellest of fashions after defender Sam Hathcote headed into his own net with 20 minutes of the tie remaining. The National League North side – who stunned holders Crystal Palace in the third round – produced another magnificent display in front of their fans and a national TV audience. Brentford boss Keith Andrews made a beeline for the Macclesfield dressing room after the game and was SILKMEN’S WINNING WAYS Cup run wins widespread admiration GOALKEEPERRoganRavenhill has signed forMacclesfield on loan from EFL League One side Barnsley until the end of the season. The 20-year-old shot-stop- per joins the Silkmen from across the Pennines, having been recalled by Barnsley from fellow Enterprise National League North side Leamington. Ravenhill has progressed through the Tykes’ academy system, featuring most prom- inently for their U18 and U21 sides over the last few years in between loan spells at Liversedge and Matlock Town before joining Leamington temporarily at the beginning of the 2025/26 season. Rogan impressed manager John Rooney and his back- room staff in the first half of the current campaign with the Brakes, including two impressive performances against the Silkmen, in which he contributed significantly to keeping the scoreline to a minimumon both occasions. Ravenhill fills the void left bySheaCallister, who recently departed for Derry City, and for Joe Nicholson who remains with Cheadle Town on dual registration terms. The Yorkshireman will also challenge Max Dearnley for the number one spot for the Enterprise National League North run-in. Macclesfield have also confirmed that forward Max Woltman has departed the Leasing.comStadium. The 22-year-old has joined fellow Enterprise National League North side Southport FC. Woltmanmade 13 appear- ances during his time at the club, scoring on one occasion in the Cheshire Senior Cup victory over Congleton Town. Keeper boost as Rogan signs Proud: Maccles!eld manager John Rooney full of praise for the efforts of John Rooney’s players. He said: “We have a lot of respect for the way they play, the spirit they have, the way they can change and perform to the levels they have against us and Palace, it’s a testament to John and the club. “It was never going to be easy. I thought we didn’t make it easy for ourselves in the first half but we controlled large parts of the second half and eventually got the goal. “I thought they were immense tonight, absolutely immense to the end. They gave us a proper cup tie that most people would have enjoyed – I can’t say I did!” Andrews also praised the progress Macclesfield have made, from the early days of the phoenix club to their current position in the sixth tier of the English game and with a record-breaking FA Cup campaign to their name. He said: “I love the English football pyramid. I’ve played and coached in a lot of it and I love what it stands for and there’s always journeys that clubs are on. I like stories like that; it actually fills my heart.” Rooney said he appreciated Andrew’s gesture. He said: “I couldn’t be any prouder. Days like this are why you are involved. “It’s an unbelievable touch by their manager to come into our dressing room after full-time. “He spoke highly of us – of myself and the players – and the thing he saw was a real togetherness we had about us.” He added: “To lose the game the way we did is hard. To bring Macclesfield into the fourth round of the FA Cup is something I would have never have dreamed of, a few months into management.” Rooney was named the Enterprise National League North Manager of the Month for January. It was a month that saw the Silkmen make strides towards the play-off picture, with just one league defeat, along with four wins, saw John Rooney’s side rise into seventh in the division. Victories over Radcliffe, Oxford City, Worksop Town, and Bedford Town, as well as the historic victory over Crystal Palace saw the award handed to Maccles- field’s manager. Elia is a Shark Macc find a way to win Fifty up: Sandbach scored eight tries in an impressive win over Widnes (Photo credit: Andy Mitchell) position in Regional 2 North West after a resounding bonus point win. The Bach made it a happy Valentine’s Day for the home support at Bradwall Road as they recorded a 56-15 mauling of Widnes. Sandbach moved up to sec- ond place after a resounding eight-try rout. They had been left disappointed after a late penalty saw them lose to Firwood Waterloo at the end of January. They needed to put that defeat behind them and focus on securing the win against sixth placed Widnes. The home side welcomed back their winger and spot- kicker Matt Randle, who had missed the last two games due to injury. Elsewhere, there were changes to the second row with Tom Holmes replacing Ryan Arundale, who moved to the bench. The match was also a cel- ebration for Sandbach’s club captain Max Beadle, who was making his 100th appear- ance, becoming the club’s lat- est centurion. The first try of the afternoon came from skipper and scrum- half Laurie Essenhigh, who was making his 101st Sand- bach appearance. keeping their composure late on and finding a way to win on a day where we weren’t totally at the races. “Our execution wasn’t per- fect and our defence was a bit wobbly at times, but after last week’s loss we had to get back on the horse, get five points, and that’s exactly what we did.” Meanwhile Sandbach found themselves in a prime play-off