Mayfield NWC 10 - 34 Hindley

After losing players to work commitments and a first team call up for Mark Biggins Mayfield NWC still managed to put out a strong side for the visit of runaway league leaders Hindley, at the Mayfield Sports Centre on Saturday (12 February 2011).

The visitors started well but were rocked by some big Mayfield defence until after 6 minutes a lucky break in their own half saw the scrum half sprint almost the length of the field for a converted try. This seemed to affect the confidence of the home side and they allowed the opposition to build up a 22 point lead. Just before half time the self belief and attitude that has seen Mayfield through this season seemed to return and after a neat chip through from Marsland Andy Lee managed to beat the fullback to the ball and touch down under the sticks, Marsland converted.

The second half continued with Mayfield on the attack and Andy Lee was at the hub of everything they did, directing the play and leading the defensive line. Nyland and Greaves along with Dean Hartley made telling contributions. When young debutant Jake Johnson in his first open age game, crashed onto a well timed pass from Lee, he was unstoppable as he made the score 10 – 22 a fight back looked like it was on the cards.

Mayfield ran hard and straight with Simpson and Lane trying their best to break the defence down but to no avail. With ten minutes to go the Hindley centre snatched an interception and raced the full length for another converted score. Mayfield attempted to get back in the game but as happens when you need to score they threw caution to the wind only to see Hindley score the final try of the game to seal a 10 – 34 win and continue their winning run.

Mayfield felt downhearted after the game with a feeling that they could have done better and indeed maybe have got something from this match, but they also took heart from the fact that they had played with six changes to the team and still put in a creditable performance.

There were welcome returns for three players Andy Taylor Paul Lane and James Kelly, along with debutants Jake Johnson and Joe Hart who all had decent games.

Best on the day though for Mayfield were once again Andy Lee, backed by Greaves and Simpson