Rugby league: Mayfield preview

Lewis Butterworth is back for NCL side on Saturday

Mayfield face a massive game on Saturday 6 May with a long trip to Wath Brow Hornets in Whitehaven.

The journey in itself is bad enough but then they have to face the in-form Cumbrians who sit second in the league.

Wath Brow have only lost once this season and are always a tough team to beat at their ground so Mayfield will have to be on top of their game for this one.

On the plus side last week's break has given Sam Butterworth's lads a chance to shake off a couple of niggling injuries and so, for the first time in about five weeks, Butterworth and Wood have a full squad to select from.

This will give the coaches a real headache as they try to pick the right 17 for the game ahead. Lewis Butterworth returns after missing the last two, James McDaid is back to fitness and Dave Mills came through last week's A team fixture okay, his first game since sustaining a concussion against Newcastle.

This will be a real test for Mayfield and they will be looking for nothing less than a win as they try and climb up the table. They are currently in fourth spot with two games in hand on the teams above them. A win on Saturday would seal their credentials as play off contenders and that is what Butterworth is looking for.

Andy Reid and his NWML side join the NCL side on the coach to Cumbria as they travel to face Barrow-based Hindpool Tigers.

The NWML will feel confident after last week's performance against Greetland when they showed, with a depleted team that they have some real quality in the side.

Players like Sam Hilton, Harrison Chapel and Sean McKenna are improving every week and Andy has built a big strong pack capable of going and taking the game to the Cumbrians.

Out in the backs, the experience of Rob Kershaw will be priceless as he guides the young side around the field in search of a win against a Hindpool side who have yet to pick up a point this season.

Fixtures Saturday 6 May 2023

• NCL Premier Division: Wath Brow v Mayfield, kick off 2.30pm
• NWML Division 2: Hindpool v Mayfield, kick off 2.30pm