Rugby League: Mayfield 29- 24 Latchford Albion

Mayfield 29- 24 Latchford Albion

Mayfield A team welcomed Latchford Albion to Mayfield Rugby Club on Saturday for a top off the table clash in The North West Men's Rugby League Division One and, despite a late scare, gained a well-deserved victory and two valuable league points.

Mayfield opened strong and after a tough and tight opening 10 minutes, hooker James Ainsley took advantage from dummy half for the opening try. Zac Hartley goaled.

A couple of minutes later Mark Biggins did all the work himself and crashed over under the posts for a try, and goaled for a 12-0 lead.

Latchford defended hard and kept Mayfield at bay.

With half time looming Ieuan Higgs took the opportunity to extend the lead with a well taken drop goal.

Early in the second half Paul Reilly and Matty Chrimes gained good field position and James Ainsley scooted in from close range to increase Mayfield's lead. Hartley missed the conversion.

At 17-0 Mayfield were cruising.

Latchford tried to hit back and charged the full length of the field, but James Ainley grabbed a loose ball, and five plays later Jack Rush crashed over from a neat over off drop off.

Mayfield seemed to have the game in the bag but penalty followed penalty and Latchford hit back, scoring two converted tries.

James Ainley settled the nerves with a try on the line from dummy half with the Latchford defence's attention on runners Joe Muir, Sean Mucahy, Sean Hurley and Mark Biggins.

The conversion made it 29 points to Mayfield and that proved just enough despite two further late tries to the visitors.

Despite the late lapses, Mayfield were string across the park and good value for the win in another great game at Mayfield Rugby Club.

Mayfield Team: John Foy, Tom Fitzgerald, joe Schofield, Matty Chrimes, Luke Hartley, Ieuan Higgs, Zac Hartley, Mark Biggins, James Ainley, Joe Muir, Macaulay Donnelly, Jack Rush, Rob Kershaw, Sean Mulcahy, Sean Hurley, Lee Bradley, Paul Riley.