Rugby league: Mayfield 18 - 22 Hunslet Club Parkside

Photo: Aidy Gleeson Snr

James McDaid scoring for Mayfield

With four changes from their last outing, Mayfield were looking for a dramatic improvement on Saturday 2 April and that's what they got in a belting game of rugby league - played in front of a good home crowd at the Mayfield Sports Centre.

From the off the game was played at a superb pace with both sides stating their intention early on. There was a real battle raging in the forwards with Darcy Maroske, Jarred Dash and James Mulvaney outstanding in every department and just having the edge over their opposite numbers. It always looked like it was going to be a closely contested battle and in acknowledgement of that Mayfield opted for the 2 points when awarded an early penalty. 2 - 0.

The Mayfield halves started getting hold of the game and were unlucky on more than one occasion as the final pass just missed the mark. Mayfield were just coming out on top as Dec Sheridan and Cole Connolly moved them round the pitch and it was against the run of play when after winning a repeat set in the Mayfield twenty the Hunslet winger went in for their opening score which was converted, 2 - 6.

Mayfield were again unlucky not to get a try as first Ieuan Higgs then Lewis Butterworth made good breaks. With 25 gone Mayfield lost Maroske as he was shown a yellow for a high shot on the big Hunslet prop. Hunslet reacted immediately and upped the pace of the game, dragging Mayfield all over the pitch. Brilliant work in defence from Connolly, Sheridan and Butterworth kept them at bay but it was just a matter of time before they scored and it was the big prop again who crashed through under the sticks to extend his sides lead, 2 - 12.

Moments later they increased that lead to 2 - 16 after a ranging kick bounced straight back into the chasers hands for a fortunate try.

Mayfield weren't to be outdone though and a brilliant pass from Sheridan found James McDaid who cut the defecit, 6 - 16. The return of Maroske had a massive effect on his side as he was straight back into the fray.

A shaky start to the second half saw the Mayfield supporters getting a bit worried as their side gave away possession three times in the first five minutes. A timely interception from Rob Kershaw saw him make yards; this sparked the team and they upped their game accordingly. Once they had settled Mayfield took control of the game and looked the better side for long periods and when Connolly put James Mulvaney over for try which Connolly converted it was game on, 12 - 16.

Nick Hargreaves, Shaun Hurley and Reece Hamlett put in some powerful drives. Hamlett was again involved, showing his raw power and McDaid capitalised grabbing his second which Connolly converted to put Mayfield in the lead 18 - 16.

They were extremely unlucky not to go further in front as they were held up over the line three times, which would have put the game beyond Hunslet. It wan't to be though as the Hunslet kicker sliced Mayfield open with a precision kick which was taken on the full by the winger who coasted in to put the visitors back in front 18 - 22. 

Try as they did Mayfield could not get the crucial score to win the game and Hunslet took the spoils in a brilliant contest.