Mayfield preview

When it comes to rugby league there is nothing better, nothing more exciting, than the Carnegie Challenge Cup, and that’s what’s on offer at the Mayfield Sports centre today (Saturday 22 January 2011). And befitting this prestigious competition what a cracker of a tie it is.

Bank Quay Bulls from Widnes are the visitors, undefeated this season with eight wins from eight starts in the NWC premier division. Add to that their victory two weeks ago in the Lancashire cup final, and you begin to see what a quality team this is. All that is taken into consideration and Mayfield still fancy themselves for the win and progression into the next round. That’s the mood in the Mayfield camp at the moment, with confidence running high after their unbeaten run continued last week, with the win against Eccles- that makes it eight wins on the trot.

Mayfield have a few selection headaches with Gibson on holiday, Atkinson suspended and Duffy having picked up an injury in Friday’s game. However, the players and coaching staff remain buoyant.

“Although Bank Quay are a quality side with quality players they are not used to competing at the same intensity as we do,’ said Butterworth “we are very strong in the forwards with Robinson, Murtza, Maroney and Simpson all playing well, they should soon take charge of their opposite numbers, allowing the outstanding O’Brien to bring in the likes of Foy, Namulatua, Butterworth and Wood. And if they can find the space to run in this should bring us the tries we need.

“Bank Quay are a free scoring side and we have worked hard on our defence in training, we are confident that we can keep them at bay while our ‘flair players’ are capable of rattling up the points.”

Match sponsors for today’s big game are Ace Electrical supplies, Weavers FC and Brent Andrews Electrical Services, with the match ball sponsored by Unique Sports.
The KO will be 2.30pm with extra time if required, players are asked to meet as per pre match text.

Mayfield NWC are on the road today, with the short trip to Oldham, where they take on Waterhead. After last week’s moral boosting victory against another Oldham side, Saddleworth, Mayfield are dying to get back on the pitch and play rugby.

Coaches Ashworth and Connelly were in ebullient mood at training this week “We are absolutely over the moon with the way the lads have responded to the defeat at West Bank a couple of weeks ago, it could have gone either way but it seems to have galvanised the attitude within the team. Numbers at training have been excellent with everyone putting in 100%. We are now applying this on the pitch and the difference is certainly noticeable.”

With Biggins, Ellis and Simpson bossing their opposite numbers, Lee, Marsland and new boy Devlin shining in the backs. We picked up a couple of knocks last week in a tough physical encounter with Hancock, Sampson and Greaves suffering, but we are hopeful they will all be fit to play a part today.

All players meet at club as per pre match text.

The NWC players and coaches would like to take this opportunity to wish their senior counterparts the best of luck this afternoon in their challenge cup game, and look forward to a celebratory drink in the club upon their return from Oldham.

Fixtures;
Carnegie Challenge Cup; Mayfield v Bank Quay KO 2.30m
NWC div 4 Waterhead v Mayfield KO 2.00pm