Mayfield 21 – 20 Cobras

In what must have been one of the games of the season Mayfield defeated fierce local rivals Rochdale Cobras 21 – 20 in a NWC Bowl comp at the Mayfield Sports Centre yesterday (Saturday 12 March 2011).

The home side could not have asked for a better start to the game as Dave Ellis hit a Cobras attacker driving the ball from his own line causing him to lose possession two plays later in form hooker Paul Hancock squirmed over the line from acting half back to open the scoring, Lee added the goal.

Mayfield threw everything they had at the visitors but the Cobras defence was superb. Superb that is until a deft side step from old war horse Dean Hartley left the Cobras second rower clutching at thin air as he made twenty yards up field, from the next play the ball Hancock shipped the ball wide to Lee who handed on to Greaves who steamed onto it like a train and was unstoppable from ten yards, ten nil Mayfield.

The pace of the game lifted and this suited Mayfield who chalked up another try this time from the vastly experienced Matty Moores, who’s work rate throughout the game was impressive, 16 – 0 and Mayfield were well in control of this game, it must be said that 16 points against the robust Cobras defence was no mean feat and was a credit to the way the players and coaches had prepared for the game.

Cobras did have chances in the first half but their hosts defence proved impenetrable with Hartley, Simpson, Hancock and the ever improving Kelly leading the way.

With a minute to go till half time a rare mistake on the Mayfield ten metre line was pounced upon by Blake who showed an impressive turn of pace to touch down under the sticks West duly converted. This proved to be a game changing moment for the Cobras and the first twenty minutes of the second half belonged to them as West managed to grab two more tries for his team to level the score at 16 – 16.

The sizable crowd were being treated to a great afternoon of rugby league here as both sets of forwards tried to get the better of their opposite number, this was always going to be a battle and it was proving to be just that.

Mayfield managed to get the better of their opponents as Kelly carried the ball from his own half then Ellis and White combined to gain good ground from where Lee popped over a drop goal. Again Ellis and Nyland punched holes in the defence and Moores was proving a handful for the Cobras as the forwards made the hard yards up field.

Lee took the ball again and put in neat grubber which was touched down by Johnson, the conversion proved too difficult, 21 – 16 and Mayfield were dominant now but the Cobras ‘never say die’ attitude saw them make their way into the Mayfield ten where speedy winger Marland made the most of a rare opening in the line to dart over for a well deserved score.

Cobras needed the conversion to take the points, as the crowd held their breaths he only managed to hit the post and Mayfield celebrated their second win of the season over their rivals and progress in this competition.
 
This game had everything and was a great credit to both sets of players, who gave everything for their respective team. The result in the end was a fair one with Mayfield just having the edge. The forwards once again ran their blood to water with young Duffy, Kelly and Lee standing out in the backs with Hancock claiming the MOM for his nonstop performance especially in defence.