Rugby league: Mayfield preview

Photo: The Ashton Snapper

Nick Hargreaves in the game against Telford

After last week's comfortable win over Midlands champions Telford, Mayfield take a massive step up this week as they travel to face Oldham Roughyeds at Boundary Park in round two 2 of the Betfred Challenge Cup.

After discussions with Oldham and due to their midweek commitment in the Law Cup against Hornets, the game has been scheduled to take place on Sunday, with a 12.30pm kick off.

With results in the Challenge Cup going the way of the NCL sides in several of the early ties over the recent years, Oldham will definitely not be taking this game lightly. Two years ago Mayfield travelled to Cornwall and came away with a win over the League 1 side.

Championship side Oldham, will be a whole different ball game for Mayfield. Sean Long's side are an up and coming side and took the League 1 title last season with their best defensive record for over 100 years and just one defeat in twenty games. They put in a superb performance against Wigan last week and claimed the spoils in the Law Cup game with a narrow victory. 

Mayfield know they are huge underdogs and make the short trip down the A627(M) with the knowledge that they will give it their best shot. As coach Sam Butterworth says: "At the end of the day it's seventeen against seventeen, you can only play who's in front of you. We know, like last week, and every other week, we will go out and give our absolute best. If we do that Woody and myself will be happy.

"These games are a good measure of where we are up to and the lads will want to do their best against a quality opposition. We know that this will be the toughest game we play this year and if we give a good account of ourselves today, who knows what will happen."

Chairman Neil Ramsden echoed Butterworth's comments, adding: "I'm really looking forward to this game. Not just for what's at stake today but for what it will tell us about ourselves as a team. We have recruited well, with half back Jack Wright coming in, along with Back rower Connor Ratcliffe. Both showed up well in the Telford game and we will be looking at more of the same on Sunday. We have some exciting young players in the squad looking to make their mark in the game."

There will be some tough decisions to be made before settling on the final seventeen for this game, but one thing for sure, Mayfield will take a good following to Boundary Park to witness what should be a great game. Any supporters making the journey are reminded that the Mayfield club will be open after the game and all are welcome back to celebrate the day, whatever the outcome.

Fixture 26 January 2025

Challenge Cup round 2: Oldham v Mayfield, 12.30pm kick off