Rugby League: Manchester Rangers 10 - 8 Rochdale Mayfield A

Rochdale Mayfield

Mayfield A came agonisingly close to securing the divisional top spot on Friday night as their main rivals pipped them to the points in a hard-fought game played in torrential rain.

Rangers started better and took a six point lead in the opening 20 minutes, as the Mayfield side failed to deal with the conditions.

Mayfield hit back when, for one of the few occasions in the game, they managed to complete a set and earn possession in the Rangers half.

The repeat set saw Iuean Higgs slice through for a try converted by Cole Connolly, who added a penalty a few minutes later for a 6-8 lead to Mayfield.

Rangers were solid, if unspectacular, throughout and Mayfield failed to clear their lines time and time again. Eventually it told as Rangers crashed over after a number of repeat sets for a 10-8 lead they took to the end of the game.

A spokesman for the club said: "Mayfield tried hard and the effort could not be faulted but rued their inability to control the ball and earn field position as they missed the chance to take the top spot for the divisional Championship play-offs – the first of which will be at Mayfield on Saturday 23 September."