Rugby League: Mayfield champions after a stunning 51 - 6 victory

Date published: 01 October 2018

Rochdale Mayfield NWML are Division One champions after a stunning 51 - 6 victory over their nearest challengers Walney Central.

Two early tries from James Mcdade and John Foy after good work from Callum Corcoran set the tone for the game but Mayfield took their foot off the pedal and allowed Walney back in the contest.

A string of penalties and errors gave the Cumbrians extended possession with four sets in the Mayfield twenty and a try was inevitable. After completely dominating the first fifteen minutes Mayfield were left with just a two-point lead at 8 - 6.

Nick Hargreaves and Rob Kershaw worked hard to turn the game back in their favour and they were rewarded when Jack Rush crashed over for a Zac Hartley converted try.

Walney tried hard but were thwarted by some good defence from Joe Schofield, Mark Biggins and Corey Newsham with a brilliant try saver on the line.

Walney stiffened up their tackling and kept Mayfield at bay but just before half time on the fifth tackle Hartley began a passage of play that saw 25 passes before Hartley again received the ball and managed against the odds to reach out for a score, which he then converted.

The start of the second half saw Walney again show great spirit as they tried their best to get back in the running.

Mayfield were getting a bit frustrated but a break from Kershaw found Corcoran in support who then returned the ball to Kershaw for a try which lifted the team again. Hartley converted.

Mayfield were now in total control and playing good rugby through Cole Connolly, Corcoran and Newsham pushing up from full back.

A rare Walney foray into the Mayfield ten was thwarted when Foy read the play well and intercepted the pass to race the full length of the pitch to score a breath-taking try in the corner.

John Marsland was next on the score sheet with a well-crafted try, followed by a Connolly drop goal.

Hargreaves was rewarded with a try after a hard-working performance and Kershaw scored his second before Tom Fitzgerald rounded of the scoring with good finishing.

The Mayfield team and coaching staff gave Rob Kershaw their man-of-the-match after an all action performance while Zac Hartley was nominated as the NWML officials man-of-the-match.

Mayfield Team: Corey Newsham, Tom Fitzgerald, Joe Schofield, James Mcdade, John Foy, John Marsland, Zac Hartley, Mark Biggins, Callum Corcoran, Sean Hurley, Jack Rush, Lee Bradley, Rob Kershaw,Cole Connolly, Nick Hargreaves, Paul Riley, Macauley Donnelly.