Mayfield preview

Today (Saturday 2 April 2011) sees the start of a very important four days for Mayfield as they face, first Milford Marlins and then unbeaten league leaders Oulton on Tuesday evening.

The fixture at Leeds club Milford has been a tricky one for Mayfield in recent years with it turning out to be a banana skin on more than one occasion.

Mayfield are currently on something of a roll and recorded a fantastic victory at third placed Stanley last week but form has meant nothing in this fixture past.

With this on mind Sam Butterworth has worked his squad extra hard with special attention being paid to discipline and focus.

“This game could go to the wire and we need to be respectful of that,” said Butterworth.

“We need to be switched on from the first whistle to the last and make the most of every opportunity.

“We have a lot of competition for places this week with full back Rob Kershaw back after his suspension and a late fitness test on in form hooker Todd O’Brien.

“We are producing some quality rugby in patches and there is no doubt we have looked more cohesive since the return of Matt Gartland at halfback, Matt seems to have struck up a good partnership with Taurean Sheehan who is playing at scrum half.

“They are dictating the play and the forwards are responding well to the direction once more dominating the opposition.

“Simpson, Maroney and Gleeson have been outstanding in the forwards along with Foy and Wood in the backs. A win today would be a massive boost to our promotion ambitions and we will be going all out to achieve this.”


Next up after today’s game is a home fixture against another Leeds based club, Oulton Raiders.

Oulton have only dropped two league points this season both in drawn games so they have yet to taste defeat.

At this stage of the season in the position they are in, the visitors will obviously arrive at the Mayfield Sports Centre brimming with confidence and favourites for the victory.

Mayfield will have other ideas though and regardless of what happens in the Milford game they will be going all out for the win

Oulton boast class players all across the pitch, as there record this season shows, so Mayfield will have to be at the top of their game for this one.

Butterworth said “We really don’t fear anyone. Oulton are there for the taking and we are the team in this division that are capable of doing it.

“Hopefully we won’t have picked up any injuries on sat so once more we should be at full strength and we feel we can match them man for man.”

Ace Electrical will be in The Zone once again along with invited guests. Match ball sponsored by Unique sports.

Mayfield chairman Simon Howe would like the people of Rochdale to come down to the Mayfield Sports centre and support their local team “This game should showcase amateur rugby league at its best with two great teams going all out for victory. The bar will be open for drinks and the kitchen will be serving hot food so we look forward to seeing you there.”

The NWC team are in action in the quarter finals of the NWC Bowl, cup competition. Their opponents are the undefeated Hindley.

Having been beaten twice this season by Hindley coach Leon Ashworth’s team know all too well what they are capable of.

Ashworth said: “Hindley are far and away the best side we have faced this season but we played well in both games despite the result and given the right circumstances we really do feel we can beat them.

“Unfortunately today we have lost the impressive Ben Duffy and James Kelly to injuries and Dave Ellis who is on holiday.

“We have youngsters in the wing waiting to come in and have a crack at Hindley so we will see who is available.

“With players like Simpson, Nyland and Greaves in the side, along with the pace of Hart and Devlin we can trouble anyone, as we showed in last weeks win against Bamber Bridge.”

Fixtures
Sat. 02.04.11
Nat Con div 1; Milford Marlins v Mayfield KO 2.30
NWC bowl Q/F Hindley v Mayfield KO 2.30

Tuesday 05.04.11
Nat Con div 1. Mayfield v Oulton KO 7.30