Rugby League: Mayfield welcome Normanton Knights in the Challenge Cup

Aidy Gleeson, Mayfield

Mayfield coaches Matt Calland and Sam Butterworth have shown this week how serious they are taking Saturday's fixture against Normanton Knights in the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup they have had the players in for extra training and rearranged last week’s Standard cup game so they could have a training day on Saturday.

The visitors are something of an unknown quantity having just been promoted to the Kingstone Press National Conference Premier Division after finishing third in Division One and winning a thrilling play off final against Milford Marlins.

They will no doubt see Saturday's game as a chance to set their stall out for the coming season knowing that a good performance against Mayfield will make the other clubs sit up and take notice, as well as giving their own players a confidence boost.

Calland will have done his homework and know Normanton's strengths and weaknesses and he will have guided his side in how to combat and exploit those during the game.

In the last round Normanton were taken to extra time by a spirited Navy side and needed a drop goal to see them through, but that will be no marker for Saturday's game as they face their first test against Premier Division opposition.

Mayfield will be without Matty Ashton who travelled to Australia last week to try his hand at Mullumbimby, but there are several youngsters waiting in the wings for a chance to step into his boots and stake a claim for a regular spot in the upcoming season.

Calland will look to the more established players to guide the team through this tricky tie, players like Paul Brearley, Aidy Gleeson, Callum Marriott and Liam Whalley; these players worked hard against Crosfields and will be hoping again to create the space for the likes of Dec Sheridan and Zac Hartley to exploit.

Fixture
01 February 2018   
Ladbrokes Challenge Cup Second Round
Mayfield v Normanton Knights
Kick Off: 2.30