Rugby League: Siddal 24 - 22 Rochdale Mayfield

Callum Marriott and Luke Fowden combine to stop a Siddal attack

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Mayfield took the short journey to league leaders and current Champions Siddal and came away with pride intact and a feeling of what might have been, as they fell just short losing 24-22.

Matt Calland was forced into a number of team changes and early line pressure from Siddal tested them but Mayfield held out and hit back with excellent forward work, driving up the field and creating position for well executed move that saw Jack Sampson crash over with Zak Hartley converting for 0-6.

A mistake from Siddal at the kick off led to Mayfield progressing up the field but dropping the ball over the line.

Mayfield were well on top though and another Jack Sampson try on 12 mins was converted by Hartley for 0-12.

Pressure from both teams told for the next period with penalties and forced errors racking up.

A rare scrum against the head gave Siddal loose forward the chance for a try on 25 mins and it was converted for 6-12.

This try sparked Siddal into life and they drove up the field and battered the Mayfield line but excellent line defence kept them scoreless and a good period until finally the pressure was too much and Siddal scored on 37 minutes 12-12.

Mayfield were again too sharp for the hosts and won the ball from restart kick. They worked the ball wide and earned a repeat set, dropped out by Siddal.

The pressure told again, this time on the home side, resulting in a penalty to Mayfield, and Chris Hough converted for 12-14.

Siddal were feeling the heat and it boiled over when a heated exchange saw Jimmy Connaughton react to foul play and he saw red.

Lee Registered and a home player followed to the sin-bin and the resultant Mayfield penalty was converted by Hough on half time, for Mayfield to lead 12-16.


The second half started with an arm wrestle of real quality with strong defence from both sides matched by sparkling attack.

Siddal broke the deadlock though, with a try under the posts 18-16.

Mayfield didn't deserve to be behind though and despite being a man down, excellent wide play led to a crash over try from Jack Francis, converted by Hartley for 18-22.

Both teams stepped up the quality again - Mayfield conceded a line drop out and repeat set - saved by a great tackle from Callum Marriott, before just dropping the ball on the last tackle whilst approaching the Siddal try line. Siddal again hit back earning a try wide left, converted to give the home side the advantage 24-22.

As time ticked away Mayfield drove up field and forced a line drop out.

Siddal again conceded a penalty, keeping Mayfield from their line, but it stayed at 24-22 as it was just too far out for Zak Hartley to convert.

Mayfield took the restart and again drove in hard to force a repeat set, but on the second tackle the referee blew for full time and Siddal took the points at 24-22.

Whilst rueing the missed opportunity, Mayfield coach Matt Calland was delighted with the effort and style of play from his charges, who went toe-to-toe with the league leaders who have swept all before them so far this season, despite being a man down for half of the match.

Mayfield are at home this Saturday 2 September (2.30pm kick off) in the penultimate Premier Division regular season fixture against Skirlaugh.

The Hull side are currently in the relegation zone and fighting for their Premier Division lives, and with Mayfield pushing for a top two finish - the stakes are high.

The game could see 2nd home debuts for forwards Luke Fowden and Jack Francis - returning to Mayfield from a spell in the professional game, and returns to the team for stars Declan Sheridan, Paul Brearley and Aiden Gleeson.