Rochdale Mayfield 24 – 16 Oldham St Anne’s

Over 300 spectators were well entertained at the Mayfield Sports Centre, Castleton, on Saturday (12 March 2011) as Rochdale Mayfield maintained their promotion push with a hard fought victory over local rivals Oldham St Anne’s.

The long history between the clubs, who have both been at the top of the amateur Rugby League tree for many years, meant that this game was always going to be a tough encounter with no quarter asked or given.

The tension showed in the early stages as both teams gave away penalties and possession in the opening stages to keep play in centre field. Mayfield showed their intentions with some strong defence from forwards Ben Simpson, Andrew Moroney and Aidan Gleeson, and St Anne’s half backs probed with quick plays on the fringes.

The deadlock was broken on 20 minutes when Mayfield full back, Ben Namulatua, mis-fielded a raking kick and the referee saw a knock on. From the resultant scrum the visitors drove to the line and their scrum half showed neat footwork to dart over under the post for a converted try.

The deadlock continued as Mayfield showed plenty of endeavour but little direction in attack.

The lead was increased on 33 minutes when the Oldham kicker converted a penalty conceded in the tackle from wide out. 0 – 8, and it stayed that way until half time.
Mayfield seemed the stronger team, but lacked the cutting edge to break the visitor’s enthusiastic defence.

The cutting edge was provided a minute after the restart by outstanding hooker Todd O’Brien who took advantage of field position and a quick play the ball from Benn Coombes to dart over the line for try he converted himself.

6 – 8 and Mayfield were back in the game, and only desperate defence prevented Joe Robinson and Luke Sampson from grounding the ball when over the line, St Anne’s clung on though, and increased their lead on 55 minutes with a penalty for a 6 – 10 lead.

On 60 minutes Mayfield sparked into life as Taurean Sheehan orchestrated a drive into the visitors’ quarter and Matt Gartland worked the short right hand side, took the ball to the line and powered through the defence for a try that O’Brien converted. 5 minutes later the 12- 10 lead was increased to 18 – 10, when Gartland repeated the dose, this time on the left, with show and go to get outside his marker and score another Todd O’Brien converted try.

St Anne’s battled back, with ex – Mayfield hooker Eric Johnson to the fore. Two penalties in succession took them to the Mayfield line and simple hands found space out wide on the left for a 68th minute try. The conversion drifted between the posts and at 18-16 the game was in the balance.

The Recruitment Solutions North West Ltd., man of the match, Aidan Gleeson, then settled matters on 79 minutes, as he hit the line 25 metres out, span out of the tackle and showed great awareness to chip the ball infield for trailing centre Steve Wood to touch down. Todd O’Brien kept his 100 per cent conversion rate for a 24 – 16 victory, built on the back of strong defence.

Team; Ben Namulnatua, Paul Lane, Ian Sampson, Steve Wood, Kristian Duffy. Taurean Sheehan, John Foy. Benn Coombes, Todd O’Brien, Ben Simpson, Andrew Moroney, Joe Robinson, Aidan Gleeson. Luke Sampson, Mark Biggins, Chris Brett, Matt Gartland.