Rugby League: Mayfield A 28 - 10 Chorley Panthers

Mayfield A 28-10 Chorley Panthers

Mayfield A progressed to the final of the divisional play-offs with a resounding victory over Chorley Panthers on Saturday, scoring five tries and treating the large crowd to a show of effort and skill.

Mayfield started the game strong and got the best chance with big defence forcing a Chorley error in their own half. Jack Rush dropped the first drive then missed a tackle on the visitor’s quick footed scrum half, who raced to the corner only to be stopped short by good cover from Rob Kershaw and Nick Hargreaves.

Chorley’s big forwards controlled the centre field but tenacious tackling, particularly from Jordan Cella and Hargreaves, met them head on and smart halves play by Cole and Cameron Connolly found gaps on the fringes for long breaks and tries.

First, Rob Kershaw sped down the left wing and fed Cole Connolly inside for a try he goaled himself.

Quick play the balls and good passing found John Foy in the clear and he put Komai Namulatua in at the corner. Too wide for the conversion.

Mayfield where cruising, but a couple of penalties in possession when on the break, and two efforts ruled out for a forward pass and a drop over the line, kept the score down.

Chorley dug in, led by their ex professional scrum half and loose forward.

With the half time whistle looming Mayfield failed to complete exit sets and conceded penalties and Chorley scored a short range converted try.

Mayfield A 10 - 6 Chorley Panthers

From the restart Mayfield finally finished a set and Nick Hargreaves burst through from 30 metres out for a try. Converted by Cole Connolly.

Luke Hartley and Corey Newsham combined to get Mayfield to the line and Connolly found Jack Rush with a beat flat pass and he crashed over for a try. Converted by Connolly.

With 18 minutes left Mayfield had effectively sealed a place in the final but Chorley fought hard and brought the best out of the home side's attack as slick hands found Matty Chrimes on the left and he broke through, passing inside to Connoly to dive over.

Chorley scored a consolation try  but Mayfield were through.

Mayfield team: Corey Newsham. Rob Kershaw, Joe Scholfield, john Foy, Komai Namulatua. John Marsland, Cameron Connolly, Nick Hargreaves, Cole Connolly, Jordan Cella, Lewis Butterworth, Matty Chrimes, Jack Rush, Macaulay Connolly, Sean Hurley, Paul Reily,

Mayfield A face Widnes Tigers in the final, on Saturday, at Pilkington Recs (St Helen's), kick off at 3.30pm.