Rugby league: Mayfield 32 - 18 Thatto Heath

Date published: 04 July 2024

With four changes including two debuts, Mayfield's challenge for a top three spot continued last week as they entertained Thatto Heath on Saturday 29 June. Just like the previous week at Siddal it didn't take long for Sam Butterworth's side to get on the scoreboard. There were less than two minutes on the clock when Harry Sheridan finished a great piece of rugby in the corner. 4 - 0.

Maybe sensing an easy game Mayfield then took their foot off the gas and Thatto sensed they were in with a shout. They caught Mayfield out with quick play and were unlucky not to score before they drew level on 6 minutes after spotting a lack of cover on their left, 4 - 4.

This score knocked Mayfield out of their stride and with just over twenty minutes gone Thatto had steamed into a 4 - 14 lead after some woeful Mayfield defending.

Mayfield almost pulled one back, after a smart interception from Sheridan, but the ball went to ground with the line begging. Undeterred, the Mayfield forwards kept plugging away, the introduction of Oliver Morgan seemed to refocus the side and Mayfield pulled a try back after a good offload from Cole Connolly which found the supporting Zac Baker. 8 - 14. They nearly managed another after a Dev Long interception saw him race 60m up field but again the final ball was lost. What had started out as a good game was now a series of mistakes and poor decisions from both sides.

During the half time break Butterworth and Steve Wood let their side know in no uncertain terms, where they needed to improve. There was no panic from the camp, as they all knew they had more than enough to win this game, it just had to come to the fore.

A strong confident start to the second half saw Morgan rip the defence to bits before a perfectly placed kick from Dev Long saw Sheridan out leap his opposite number to cut the lead, Jordan Parr converted to make it 14 - 14.

Mayfield finally reclaimed the lead after strong drives from Billy Pirouzan and Noah Lawton made space for a Baker break, Dakota Tolhurst finished the move and Parr added the two.  20 - 14. A great team score saw Parr extend his sides lead then add the conversion, 26 - 14. This should have seen off the challenge from the visitors, but Thatto came back with a try. 26 - 18.

Mayfield were undoubtedly on top now and looked likely to run out winners but both sides continued to make unforced errors. Mayfield defended well on the whole in the second half with Ben Metcalfe Max, Riseham and Cole Connolly putting in a great stint.

The dismissal of Reece Hamlett could have scuppered Mayfield's chances but his side responded well and the remaining 12 players upped their game in the face of a strong physical effort from Thatto.

Mayfield rounded off the scoring on the final whistle with a Corey Newsham try, brilliantly converted by Connolly, 32 - 18.

This was a hard fought win with great performances from the two new boys Morgan and Pirouzan.