Rugby league: Mayfield preview

Mayfield's new Australian players with club president Barry Edwards (centre)

Mayfield have another home fixture this Saturday afternoon (22 April), when they entertain Hull Dockers.

Dockers are newly promoted to the Premier Division but unlike last week's opponents Kells, they are finding the going tough. They have two wins from five starts and have struggled to match the pace at this level. They have some good players in the squad and it is only a matter of time before they click into gear so Mayfield will have to be on their guard to make sure that doesn't happen on Saturday. Dockers were well beaten at home last week by a good Thatto Heath side so they won't be relishing the trip to the Mayfield Sports Centre to face the in form Mayfield side.

Mayfield are firing on all cylinders at the moment but coach Sam Butterworth still feels there is more to come from this side.

He said: "This team excites me. We have some quality players in the squad and they are playing well. A big plus for this season is the discipline, in the past we have been our own worst enemies giving away needless penalties and putting ourselves under needless pressure.

"We have bucked that trend this season with the new players we have brought in. The Aussie lads have made a big difference, they know each other and play well together and that has made their settling in much easier. The way they are playing has also brought out the best in their team mates, with Dec Sheridan especially benefitting from this. He is on fire.

"The pack is going great too, I wont single anyone out because right across the board they are killing it. Throw Sean Penkywicz in the middle of the park and you see why we are doing so well. Make no mistake though, this will be a tough game. Hull Dockers are not coming here to take part, they are coming to win and we will have to be on top of our game to make sure that doesn't happen."

The sponsors for this game are Dave Tully and Co, Motor Body Repairers, along with Ace Electrical.

The NWML side are on the road again today with a long trip to Walney Central in Barrow. This will be a tough trip for Andy Reid's young side as they look to get their season back on track. Their hosts today are up in the top four but have lost two out of five games so they are definitely beatable. Reidy's lads just need a bit more self belief and the results will start coming. Once that happens this side has the makings of a good team and as we know, 'winning breeds winners'.

Fixtures Saturday 22 April 2023

• NCL Premier Division: Mayfield v Hull Dockers, kick off 2.30pm
• NWML Division 2: Walney Central v Mayfield, kick off 2.30pm