Rugby league: Rochdale Mayfield Ladies 44 - 0 Heysham Atoms

Mayfield Women played their first competitive game on Sunday 23 April, at the Mayfield Sports Centre and what a start to their rugby league journey it was.

Up against an established Heysham Atoms side the newly formed Mayfield Women weren't given much hope, but it was Heysham who were made to look like the newcomers as Mayfield put in a fantastic performance to claim an emphatic win. With around five minutes on the clock, Jess Hopkins powered her way through the defence after strong drives from Pennie Worsley and Nichol Wild, to score the first try of the game, 4 - 0.

Steph Hillen was in charge from the off at acting half, marshalling her troops and bringing the forwards into the game. Nichol Wild was already proving to be devastating in defence with some absolutely crunching tackles. Her early defence was an inspiration and the rest of the pack followed her lead Kirsty Musgrove and Talena Hartley were relentless as they hunted down their opposite numbers. It wasn't just the forwards though, both wingers and centres were heavily involved in breaking down the Heysham attack.

With 20 minutes gone Mayfield's Kirsty Musgrove made brilliant 60 metre break only to be brought down by a cynical high tackle. From the penalty Taneka Brown-Wellington took the drive and destroyed the defensive line as she crashed through for a class try. 8 - 0.

Next up was Stacey Hillen who got on the end of a great team move to grab her first try, 12 - 0.

Mayfield were completely dominating Heysham now and Hopkins made the most of this as she bagged her second, 16 - 0.

Not to be out done 'super' Stacey Hillen (in the stadium announcers words) claimed her second with five minutes of the half remaining 20 - 0.

The centre wing pairing of Brown-Wellington and Lily Mangan were causing all sorts of problems on the left and as the cover moved over to try and contain them Hopkins skipped through the gap to complete her hat trick, 24 - 0.

The first half scoring was rounded of as Harriet Widdup forced her way over from acting half as the whistle sounded 28 - 0.

It didn't take Mayfield long to get back in the groove Steph Hillen went in for a great individual score, 32 - 0.

Harriet Widdup was coming into the game more now and her runs were devastating as she scattered the opposition. At 32 points to nil down many teams would have gone under but not Heysham, they rallied, their big forwards pummelled the Mayfield line but they were solid as they repelled every attack. The defence was ferocious, Heysham worked the right hand corner but Kelly Mitchell and Sarah Bardsley were not in the mood to let anyone through the line.

Mayfield did very well to keep the visitors out and when they regained possession they broke up field with great runs from Bardsley and Shauna Higney and were unlucky not to increase their lead. Heysham again lifted their game as they went in search of a try and again only superb defence kept them out. Arguably the try of the game came as Lily Mangan picked up the ball in her own ten and headed out wide where she sprinted the full length to touch down under the sticks, Widdup added the conversion, 38 - 0.

Hopkins rounded off the scoring moments later after handing off two defenders and going in under the posts, Widdup added the two, 44 - 0.

The large crowd were absolutely loving this, it was a real old fashioned game of rugby league. Brutal, bruising, tough and skilful played by a team that was full of enthusiasm and endeavour. The player of the match was awarded to four-try Jess Hopkins but it could of gone to any of the 17 players. Steph Hillen and Stacey Hillen, Taneka Brown-Wellington and Lily Mangan were all absolutey outstanding.

Mayfield chairman Neil Ramsden was over the moon with the performance and the result. He said: "This was one of the best days at Mayfield this season, the atmosphere was electric, the crowd and the team were buzzing. There must have been around 250 plus people here for this and they saw a great game. When you consider this was the team's first game it makes the achievement even more impressive. Just think what they can achieve if they carry on like this."