Rugby League: Rochdale Mayfield in semi-final of NCL premier division play-offs against Wath Brow Hornets on Saturday

Jack Francis, Rochdale Mayfield

Rochdale Mayfield are in action on Saturday in the qualifying semi-final of the Kingstone Press NCL premier division play-offs against Wath Brow Hornets. 

In the two league games this season Mayfield have just edged the honours with an 16 - 8 victory at the Mayfield Sports Centre and an 18- 18 draw at Brow's Club House Ground.

This has all the ingredients for a classic with everything at stake for the side who want to progress to the semi-final proper against the loser of the days other game, Siddal versus Thatto Heath.

Mayfield have never got beyond the semi final and coaches Calland and Butterworth are both looking forward to remedying that this season, with their strongest squad for a long time.

Brow are a very strong side and had a strong finish to their campaign with two wins against local opposition Kells and Egremont with victory in their last game seeing them leapfrog Mayfield and secure a third-place finish with Mayfield in fourth.

The Mayfield players will be hoping that Wath Brow are still feeling the effects of two very tough local derby games, making them ripe for the taking.

Despite dropping a place in the league, Mayfield also finished strongly and were boosted by the signing of new prop Tom Hall from Elland. Hall had impressive debut and showed he will be one to watch.

Three new forwards have come into the side over the past couple of months with Hall joining Luke Fowden and Jack Francis; these signings could be the difference for Mayfield after being a bit light in the forwards for most of the season. Now, they are a big powerful pack and also  a very mobile one, which is extremely important in the modern game.

If these players can dominate their opposite numbers there should be space for the proven back line to score points.

When it comes to attacking Mayfield definitely have the upper hand having scored around a hundred and fifty points more whilst conceding about the same.

If the game is level after eighty minutes it will go straight to the golden point rule where whichever team score first takes the game.

The Mayfield team will travel on Friday evening, and there is a coach for around 25 supporters leaving at 9.30 on Saturday.

There are still a couple of places available at a cost of £10. Numbers are strictly limited to allow the players to return on the same bus.

Anyone interested should ring Simon on 07920 865 106.

Fixture
14 October
NCL elimination semi-final
Wath Brow v Mayfield
Kick Off: 2.30pm