Rugby league: York Acorn 14 - 20 Mayfield

Photo: Ian Neild

Noah Lawton is one of the youngsters who have seen Mayfield to a top three finish

Mayfield made it five wins on the bounce as they returned from York with the two points on Saturday 17 August. With York Acorn fighting to make the play offs this was always going to be a tough game and it turned out to be just that.

After taking a comfortable 10 - 20 lead into the half time break Mayfield didn't manage to cross the line in the second half as the Acorn defence locked up solid. The final score of 14 - 20 was a fair reflection of the game and highlighted the home side's dedication to winning this game. In the end though Mayfield's class told.

On the downside, once again Sam Butterworth and Steve Wood were left counting the cost as first Sam Wright and then Lewis Butterworth left the field with recurrences of the injuries that have kept them out for long periods of this season.

The win means that even if they were to lose their last two games, Mayfield would be guaranteed a third-place finish. Which is no mean feat for a side that has more than its fair share of injuries.

Recent weeks have seen the side fielding up to six players still eligible for under 18s rugby but still doing well enough to beat some of the best sides in the country.

This is a great reflection on the club's development and augers well for the future. Mayfield's next game is at home against second-place West Hull on Saturday 31 August before playing their last home league game against West Bowling the following week before the play offs begin.