Mayfield 0 – 14 West Hull

Photo: Aidan Gleeson Snr

Rhys Carruth

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After an impeccably observed minutes’ silence for Steve Gartland, an under strength Mayfield, missing their three top try scorers, never really looked like winning against West Hull.

Conditions blighted the performance of both sides right from the kick off with driving rain from start to finish with almost every set including at least one knock on.

On six minutes the crowd rose to a man and gave a minute’s applause in recognition of Gartland's monopoly of the number six shirt during his playing career at the club.

It was a fitting tribute to the man whose loss is sorely felt throughout the rugby league community and beyond.

The game continued and with an unusual 0 – 0 score line at half time it certainly wasn’t a game for the purist.

Mayfield plugged away and there was no lack of effort but invariably any moves broke down on the final pass.

It could be said trying to play their normal open style of rugby lead to their downfall, throwing long balls and cut out passes when short balls and old fashioned 'up the jumper' rugby would have done.

Any chance Mayfield did manage to create was snuffed out by the enthusiastic Hull defence and Mayfield lost any edge they may have had.

Hull posted their first points converting a penalty after the referee repeatedly punished the Mayfield for what appeared to be minor infringements.

Paul Brearley and Zac Baker pushed hard all game trying to bring the team together but it just wasn’t happening and when Hull went over for a converted score the game was all but gone.

Mayfield tried to up the pace for the last 15 but it just wasn’t to be.

Sam Butterworth probed the line repeatedly while Rhys Carruth and Mark Biggins did what they do best, ran hard and straight.

With seconds remaining Hull scored under the posts, leaving the conversion a formality and the game beyond Mayfield's reach.

The result sees Hull move up a place while Mayfield stay in fifth, still in the play off race but with a top three spot and a home tie increasingly unlikely - but still a possibility.