Mayfield 34 – 12 Eccles

Saqib Murtza - Man of the match

Perfect conditions at Mayfield Sports centre on Friday (14 January 2011) night under the lights saw Rochdale Mayfield extend their unbeaten run and regain 2nd place in the league, with a convincing win over Eccles.

The large crowd were treated to fantastic Rugby by both teams, but it started poorly for Mayfield when after just 5 minutes Ben Butterworth had the ball taken from him on his own 25 metre line and Eccles drove to the sticks where on the last tackle their loose forward picked a great line and went in under the posts untouched for a 0-6 lead. It took Mayfield another 6 minutes to get to grips with the game and strong defence pinned Eccles in their own 25.

The pressure meant they lost possession and two plays later Simon Moore cut infield from the right and took three defenders over the line with him for a fine try. Aidan Gleeson could not convert the try and it was game on at 4-6.

On 17 minutes Mayfield forced another turnover on half-way and centre John Foy showed great footwork and pace to beat his man, draw the fullback and pass to Ben Namulatua for a try that Gleeson goaled for a 10 – 6 lead.

A minute later Todd O’Brien took full advantage of quick play the balls from Saqib Murtza, Benn Coombes and Ben Simpson, to break from acting half back. His 40 metre run was halted on the Eccles line, but Joe Robinson powered over on the next play.

Gleeson goaled and at 16-6 it appeared Mayfield would run away with the game – but Eccles fought hard to stay with the home side who attacking fast and defending tough.

On 25 minutes the Eccles scrum half tried a speculative last tackle kick which he regathered and indecision in the Mayfield defence saw him go in for a solo try that was converted cutting the lead to 16-12.


Mayfield’s lead was restored on 32 minutes when good wide passing found Simon Moore on the right. He made the break and although caught short of the line, kept his composure to produce a quick play the ball which saw Ben Simpson power over the line on an unstoppable charge. Gleeson goaled for a half time lead of 22-12.

The second half saw no scoring for the first 30 minutes, but the entertainment still gripped the crowd as Eccles refused to give up and Mayfield were on the wrong end of a number of penalties. This meant that they had to defend 5 sets in a row on their own line – but defend them they did as the forward pack, Saqib Murtza, Andrew Moroney and Joe Robinson in particular made huge hits to sicken the visitors time and time again.

On Mayfield’s next possession they drove into the Ecles half and a high tackle which halted a Todd O’Brien scoot, drew a penalty which Gleeson converted for 24-12. This was repeated 5 minutes later and again Gleeson converted for 26-12. Eccles fought back again on 72 minutes with a try wide on the right following quick plays assisted by a couple of penalties. 26-16, but Mayfield looked comfortable and pressure again drew a high tackle penalty in front of the sticks which Todd O’Brien goaled. 28-16 was increased in stoppage time when Damien Gibson chipped over the Eccles defence and as the ball was fumbled Benn Coombes was the first to react and produced a quick play the ball for O’Brien to find Joe Robinson on the run as he burst through three defenders to score. Ben Namulatua converted and the game ended 34-16.

The match sponsors Advantage Timber Construction and Sean Hannan Electrical awarded Saqib Murtza the man of match award for his non-stop running and punishing defence, but he was pushed all the way by Andrew Moroney, Steve Wood and Joe Robinson.

Mayfield NCL: Robert Kershaw, Ben Namulatua, Steve Wood, John Foy, Kristian Duffy, Ben Butterworth, Damian Gibson, Benn Combes, Todd O’Brien, Saqib Murtza, Andrew Moroney, Joe Robinson, Aidan Gleeson. Simon Moore, Chris Brett, Luke Sampson, Ben Simpson.