Mayfield preview

Rochdale Mayfield

Mayfield begin their season proper on Saturday afternoon as they entertain Wigan St Patrick's in the Kingstone press Premier Division clash of the day.

Wigan St Patrick's are without doubt rugby league royalty with many seasons in the top flight of the amateur game. Mayfield themselves are pushing towards that claim too as they continue to improve year on year.

Since their promotion back into the top division, the coaching duo of Matt Calland and Sam Butterworth have worked wonders with the squad, last season was particularly impressive as several of the more senior players saw their careers come to an end Calland and Butterworth were fearless as they introduced more of their Lancashire Cup winning U18s squad into the team.

Players like Munya Samanyanga, Matty Ashton, James Coonaughton and Lee Register all featured during the season, with Zac Hartley making himself a regular with some outstanding performances.

Other youngsters who are impressing are prop James Shaw and utility player Matty Chrimes. The quality these players are showing surprised no one at the club but they have caught out the more experienced teams on more than one occasion.

Mayfield have gained invaluable experience in the run up to this game with two outings against professional side Barrow and a hard-fought win against Saddleworth in the Standard Cup semi-final.

Saturday’s game has all the makings of a classic with two of last year’s top six finishers.

Both sides will be looking to make a positive start to the season with every point counting even at this early stage.

Calland has a few injuries to contend with; Callum Ogden out after dislocating his shoulder at Barrow last week and other players picking up knocks. There will also be a couple of players undergoing a fitness fest before the final seventeen is named.

Calland and Butterworth are also hoping a big name new signing will be making his debut in the blue and white, which will give the side a massive boost.

The Mayfield NWML side begins the season with a trip to Wigan St Jude's.

Mayfield prepared for this game with a friendly against Premier Division outfit Heysham Atoms.

The Rochdale side gave a good account of themselves and were unlucky in the end to lose the game. Fitness was the telling factor with Heysham scoring two late tries to win the game.

Coach Dave Harmer has welcomed the massively experienced Marvin Connolly on to the coaching team.

Connolly will be invaluable as the team strive to improve on last season’s poor showing.

The duo will wait and see who the first team take before naming their side for the clash.

Fixtures
4 March 2017
NCL Premier Division: Mayfield v Wigan St Patrick's - kick off 2.00pm
NWML Division Two: Wigan St Jude's v Mayfield - kick off 2.30pm