Rochdale Mayfield 19 - 16 Kells

Mayfield v Kells – Wayne English

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Mayfield entertained top Cumbrian side Kells on Saturday and took a valuable League win win three long range tries that thrilled a large crowd, and closed the game out against spirited opposition.

With a win and two losses so far, this league season the Mayfield men have flattered to deceive, and on the back of two disappointing visits to Hull, head coach Matt Calland rang the changes to freshen up the team. In came Matty Ashton, Zak Hartley, Jimmy Connaughton, Sean Watkins and Nick Hargreaves and the team responded well.

After just five minutes Matty Ashton celebrated his recall after injury as when put in the clear on his own 20 metre line he raced 80 metres to score a Zak Hartley converted try.

Kells hit back with a converted try to level the scores.

Mayfield took a stranglehold on the game in the second quarter when Zak Hartley scored a try he converted himself and Keiran Harmer scored another long range try, again converted by Zak Hartley.

Kells hit back just before the whistle to peg the lead back.

Half time: Rochdale Mayfield 18 - 12 Kells

The second half was a compelling contest as both sides tested defences and probed at the line, but strong and committed defence kept them at bay, despite a 10-minute period being a man down as Mayfield’s Sean Watkins was sin-binned for a shoulder charge.

Having survived this period and with points hard to come by, Mayfield chose to take advantage of field position and Zak Hartley slotted a drop-goal to again take the lead to two scores.

With time running out, Kells pressed hard but Mayfield held firm until, on the whistle, the visitors scored an unconverted consolation try.

Man-of- the-match went to Zak Hartley – who finished with 11 points.

Mayfield team: Lewis Sheridan. Wayne English, Matty Ashton, James McDaid, Keiran Harmer. Zac Baker, Zak Hartley. Seta Tala, Lewis Ainley, Sean Mulcahy, Chris Hough, Sean Watkins, Paul Brearley, Declan Sheridan, James Connaughton, Nick Hargreaves, Aidan Gleeson.