Rochdale Mayfield 30 – 18 Millom

Hattons National Conference League Division 1
Mayfield hit back from last week’s disappointing defeat to register two valuable National Conference League Division 1 points that take them back to third in the table and keep them in the hunt for promotion.

Millom took the long journey from Cumbria in their stride and certainly came to play rugby with some expansive plays, pace on the fringes and quality offloads that tested the home sides defence and resolve.

The game, sponsored by Ace Electrical, started well for Mayfield as Millom kicked off and out on the full, and patient attack in the next set led to a simple try for Andrew Moroney which Aidan Gleeson goaled for a 6 –0 lead.

Mayfield seemed to relax – a little too much – as Millom instantly hit back with a converted try to restore the parity. It stayed that way until the 25th minute when, with the visitors trying more and more risky offloads, a loose ball on the last tackle was scooped up by the Millom player who was first to react to score a try.

6-10 and Mayfield’s defence on the fringes was suspect and they were failing to capitalise on strong runs by the front row forwards Ben Simpson and Ben Coombes.

On 32 minutes three such drives forced Mayfield to their opponent’s line and the pressure told as Todd O’Brien found the fearless Mark Biggins running a great line that saw him score under the posts. Gleeson again converted for a 12-10 half time lead.

Despite leading on the scoreboard, Mayfield were not on top form, and conceded another try on 50 minutes when Paul Lane was penalised after being upended in a dangerous tackle, and in the next set Millom again showed pace out wide to round the Mayfield right hand side defence.

The conversion was missed but Mayfield found themselves behind 12-14. On 55 minutes Todd O’Brien showed pace of thought and foot and scooted over under the posts following good lead up work from Matty Moores and Rob Kershaw. Gleeson converted for 18-14. Millom wouldn’t go away though, and hit back again on 70 minutes with a try. The conversion hit the upright and the scores were locked at 18-18.

Mayfield were in no mood to give up a point though, and had their best period of the game in the last 10 minutes as first Andrew Moroney, with his second try of the game, and then Chris Brett with an unstoppable charge on a great line under the posts, scored tries that were converted by Gleeson for a 30-18 victory for the home side.

They say that the sign of a good side is one that can win whilst not playing well and Mayfield showed those qualities in abundance.
The match sponsors from Rochdale Borough Darts and Weavers Arms regulars gave a joint man of the match award to Mark Biggins and Andrew Moroney.

Team; Robert Kershaw. Paul Lane, Steve Wood, Ian Sampson, Ban Namulatua. Damian Gibson, John Foy. Benn Coombes, Todd Obrien, Ben Simpson, Andrew Moroney, Matty Moores, Aidan Gleeson. Chris Brett, Kristian Duffy, Mark Biggins, Luke Sampson.