Preston Grasshoppers spent most of the match chasing the lead. After some enterprising opening play by both sides, Macclesfield's centre Harry Oliver opened his team's account by converting his own try after 15 minutes, following a defensive lapse by the visitors.

Very shortly afterwards, Preston's full back Sam Freeman similarly converted his own try, which came from a rolling maul and wide pass.
Two further converted tries by Macclesfield pushed the score to 21-7 by the half hour, but the visitors were to have the last words of the first half, with two tries of their own, one of which was converted.

Half time score Macclesfield 21-19 Preston Grasshoppers.

The second half began with a Macclesfield penalty for a high tackle, and a kick to touch at Hoppers' 22 metre line. A winning line out and drive through the centre gave the home side another try between the posts, with a successful conversion. Harry Oliver took his opportunity to take a three point penalty, for a 31-19 point lead at 53 minutes.

10 minutes later Macclesfield succeeded with a further converted try and 19 point lead.

Sam Freeman converted Owain Williams' try on 65 minutes which gave the final score of the game at 38 points to 26 to the home side, with the rest of the match demonstrating the visitors' hard work, in their vain search of a losing bonus point due to a disallowed try in the dying minutes of the game. Hoppers' head coach Dan Orwin praised his players for their hard work and tenacity.