Rugby League: Mayfield preview

Si Moore, Mayfield

Mayfield travel to play already relegated Kells on Saturday 31 August at their Old Arrowthwaite ground in Whitehaven.

This really could be make or break for Mayfield as a win could see them move out of the bottom three if results go their way and fourth from bottom Leigh Miners lose at top of the table West Hull.

The season is definitely in Mayfield’s own hands, simply, if they win all three of their remaining games they stay up. Lose one and they are depending on others to slip up.

A blow for coach Sam Butterworth was the loss this week of strong running forward Nicholas Hargreaves in a freak accident which could see him out for the rest of the season.

However, that loss is tempered by the return to the squad of Si Moore, Declan Sheridan and Liam Whalley.

Butterworth was leaving it to the last minute to name his side, who will travel to Cumbria on Friday in an attempt to ensure the best possible preparation for the game.

Kells have won two from their last eight, but they have both been against bottom four teams. Mayfield are playing for their survival and Kells for their pride. Both are powerful motivators and make this game a tough one to call.

As the Kells coach commented in his programme notes this week; his side have never beaten Mayfield in the league, so let’s hope that can still be said after this one.

Sam Butterworth has said: “We're travelling up on Friday evening and I would like to thank chairman Simon Howe and the club for making that possible.

“It shows how serious we all are at the Mayfield about staying in this division. It is always tough coming going to Kells and Saturday will be tougher than usual, as Kells try to restore some pride in their season.

“They will definitely be out for that first league win against us, while we will be building on recent good performances and hope to make the long journey home a bit easier with two points in the bag.”

Fixture 31 August 2019

NCL Premier Division - Kells v Mayfield