Mayfield NWC 24- 20 Saddleworth

Mayfield NWC welcomed old rivals Saddleworth to the Mayfield Sports Centre on Saturday (15 January 2010).

Saddleworth had only been beaten twice this season so this was always going to be a tough game and driving rain throughout made it even tougher.

Mayfield started well with, once again their defence taking no prisoners Saddleworth must have wondered what had hit them as Biggins, Ellis and Nyland knocked them off their feet. This hard work paid off when Simpson made good yards up field for Marsland to put through a kick, which Devlin gathered under intense pressure to score in the corner, Marsland converted. This was followed by a penalty and then Andy Lee scored a great try from a set play, which fooled everyone including his own players, Marsland again converted.

Mayfield looked comfortable at this stage and a cricket score looked on the cards Saddleworth however had other ideas and hit back when their number eight ran straight over Sampson to score a well deserved try.

Half time 14 – 6.

The rain got worse in the second half and both sets of forwards tired noticeably, defensive errors allowed the visitors in for another score and it was game on now with both teams sensing victory was on the cards.

Another Marsland penalty gave the home side a little breathing space.

Injuries were telling now and mistakes were creeping in from both sets of players this was evident when Hill was awarded a dubious try after what looked like several forward passes and a knock on, but like they say ‘they all count’. 22 – 10 once again the result looked beyond doubt, once again Saddleworth lifted their game and two schoolboy errors allowed them two simple tries five minutes to go 22 – 20 the visitors were on top but Mayfield once again dug deep with old timers Hartley, Kershaw and Ashworth digging deepest of all absorbing the pressure in defence and making the yards in attack White took the ball up field handed on to Ellis who had the ball stolen in the tackle under the sticks, Marsland gladly slotted over the resulting penalty to complete the scoring.

This was a tough game in awful conditions but a win is a win.

Biggins took the MOM for his non stop efforts all over the field but mention must also go to Ellis who regained some of his early season form, and Hartley who stepped up at the last minute to bolster the pack and not least Andy Lee who has been outstanding in his contribution in the last two games.

Final score 24- 20.