A tough month for Old Albanian Rugby Club ended on a positive with a convincing 49-15 win over Macclesfield in National One.

OAs had lost their previous four games but had still given glimpses of their true potential, not the least of which involved registering five tries against Moseley last week.

In truth, there was not a great deal between the sides in the first half in terms of intensity or application but the hosts held a slight edge in the scrum and the line-out. There was nothing wanting in the visitors’ energy but they suffered somewhat from a lack of possession.

Jimmy Speirs opened the scoring in the fourth minute, finishing smartly on the right when the ball was moved rapidly to the corner. Ben Palmer converted brilliantly.

Thomas Morton secured a penalty for Macclesfield on 12 minutes but narrowly missed another attempt moments later.

Andrew Daish and Sam Broster had exchanged converted tries by the half hour and Palmer converted his own effort to bring up half-time.

Matt Bradley, the visiting full back, saw yellow on the restart and the next 10 minutes were crucial for both sides. Scrum-half Morgan Thompson cleverly placed the ball at the bottom of the post six minutes in though he had to work a lot harder four minutes later when breaking free on halfway.

Both were converted by Palmer and at 35-15 there was no way back for the Blues.

Gliksten’s clever footwork saw him over after Lewis Winterbottom’s consolation score but Speirs dispossessed his opposite number before Nick Foster juggled magnificently to the line.

Like so many clubs Albanians are suffering with a lengthy injury list so it is a tribute to the squad that they are still able to produce a performance of quality.

Blackheath, the world’s second oldest club, are the opponents on Saturday.