MACCLESFIELD edged Caldy 15-13 in their Cheshire derby encounter to do the double over their rivals and put even more pressure on leaders Loughborough Students.

In a nervy affair it was Macclesfield goal kicker Ross Winney who made the difference as his four penalties and a drop goal proved enough on a windswept day at Priory Park.

Macclesfield got off to a flier when Winney found space on the edge of the Caldy 22-metre line to land a drop goal.

This was followed on 11 minutes with a well-taken penalty after Caldy were adjudged to have held onto the ball.

The visitors got back into the game immediately from the kick-off when they were awarded a penalty which Vasey coolly booted over to leave the score 6-3.

The penalty count against Caldy was high and they were punished by Winney further on 29 and 34 minutes to stretch Macclesfield’s lead at the interval to 12-3.

In the second period, Caldy had the wind as well as the bulk of possession but despite scoring two tries were unable to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat due to an excellent Macclesfield defence.

On 43 minutes, Shaun Woof scored a try in the left hand corner after a mazy run by Gavin Roberts who fed Kerfoot before he linked with Woof to touch down. Vasey was unable to convert.

On 48 minutes, Winney notched what turned out to be the game-winning penalty after John Broxson was adjudged to have held onto the ball on the floor in what appeared a harsh decision.

In a dramatic final minute, Paul Arnold scored his 21st try of the season after considerable Caldy pressure but Vasey narrowly missed the conversion that would have tied the game.