Rochdale Mayfield 44 - 20 Pilkington Recs

Andy Taylor makes a break

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Mayfield comfortably dispatched Pilkington Recs of St Helens on Saturday to go fourth in the league.

Matt Calland rang the changes in the team, due to unavailability to train and play and injury, but the new and young players, particularly Cole Connolly, stepped up to the mark and, led by 'older' heads Liam Whalley, Wayne English, Aiden Gleeson and Sean Watkins, performed well to score eight tries in front of a large and appreciative crowd.

A minute’s silence for former Mayfield player Norman Halsall was impeccably observed before Mayfield shot out of the blocks, pressurising Pilkington on their own line and forcing an error on only the second tackle.

Four plays later Aiden Gleeson smashed through the defence to score under the posts. Zac Hartley goaled.

Pilkington dug in but Mayfield kept their defensive line speed up and again forced a drop ball. Two play the balls later, Declan Sheridan darted to the blind side and found Matty Ashton in space and he dived over. Too wide for Zac Hartley to goal.

Declan Sheridan, until now feeding the forwards with good early ball, dummied and sliced through the line, rounding the cover easily for a Zac Hartley converted try.

Pilkington were on the ropes, but Mayfield were over exuberant and a loose pass was scooped up and Pilkington outpaced the cover for a try.

Pilkington upped their game and improved their defence but with the half time whistle looming, Aidy Gleeson and Jimmy Connaughton charged forward and got quick play the balls for Lewis Sheridan to nip in from short range. Aidy Gleeson goaled.

Halt time: Rochdale Mayfield 22 - 4 Pilkington Recs

Pilkington hit the ground running in the second half as, following a Matty Ashton knock on chasing a kick through, they scored from a neat offload.

Another try quickly followed as Pilkington intercepted on their own line to go full length to touch down and be just a score behind.

However, the last half hour was all Mayfield.

Cole Connolly scooted over for a first team debut try, goaled by Zak Baker.

Lewis Sheridan got his second try, rounding the defence from a 20-metre scrum.

Pilkington hit back as Mayfield's left side defence switched off, but two tries in the last 10 minutes sealed it for Mayfield. 

A neat inside pass at the ruck on the half way line saw Wayne English race 40 metres downfield to put Lewis Sheridan in for his hat-trick try. Aiden Gleeson converted.

The ever-willing runner Andy Taylor - playing well in the middle of the pitch - used good footwork to score from 10 metres out under the posts. Aiden Gleeson converted.

The victory a fitting tribute to former player Norman Halsall.

Mayfield Team: Lewis Sheridan. Andy Taylor, Lewis Butterworth, Liam Whalley, Kieran Hamer, Cole Connolly, Sam Butterworth, Seta Tala, Declan Sheridan, Aidan Gleeson, Sean Watkins, Zac Baker, Zac Hartley, Jimmy Connaughton, Jack Sampson, Wayne English, Matty Ashton.