Hoppers fell to a fourth straight defeat, the third in a row at home, as Macclesfield ran in six tries to move closer to the title and promotion.
The visitors controlled the game from the start and while Hoppers looked to mount a comeback midway through the second half the league leaders showed their class with a commanding victory.
A disappointed Garth Dew said; “We lost that in the opening 20 minutes, you can do all the preparation you want but when you miss tackles against a side this good you’ll get punished.”
“We lacked game management as we did well to get back in it but then made silly mistakes. I was pleased with the way our pack went, I really believe we have the best scrum in the league and we showed again here against a big outfit. Scott Jordan and Lewis Allen had decent games as did the pack but we didn’t capitalise on our chances enough.”
“Had we kicked on and kept the tempo up after that good spell we could have go something but we have essentially wasted three home games. We now have to go and get something from what will be difficult trips to Sandal and South Leicester and next week will be the biggest game of the season so far”
Hoppers got the first points on the board with a Lewis Allen penalty but it was all one way traffic after that. The impressive Josh Fowles made a good burst up the right wing and Macclesfield recycled well for Harrison Lewis to score.
Jordan Brookes took advantage when Hoppers switched off after a line-out free kick to score under the posts and Elliot Brierley got the visitors third try of the opening quarter capitalising on a couple of kicks after a scrum inside Macclesfield’s half.
Allen landed a second penalty but the visitors had the bonus point wrapped up before the break when Ryan Parkinson powered over after a 5m catch and drive.
Hoppers came out a better side after the break and Macclesfield were guilty of a little complacency and gave away a number of penalties. Harry Moulding sniped around the base to score an opportunistic try following a line-out close to the line and Hoppers got their second try a couple of minutes later when Pete Altham touched down a lovely flowing move.
Good defensive intensity lead to a Macclesfield mistake and the free play was quickly moved wide with Charles Hough’s inside ball putting the prop in space on a great support line.
Hoppers were really in the ascendancy and an unlikely comeback looked on with Macclesfield starting to look a bit ragged and Hoppers were taking advantage of greater possession and a growing confidence.
However, Hoppers were guilty of over playing and the clinical visitors got two tries in the final ten minutes as Greg Newton went over in the right corner and Matt King gathered his own kick in goal after a fortunate bounce to put the game beyond any doubt.
