Mayfield prepare for new season

The structure for the forthcoming season has been announced by the National Conference League. With summer rugby starting in March 2012 the NCL have opted for a short interim season which will run from 13 August and culminate with a Grand Final on 19 November.

League groupings have been selected by the management committee and Mayfield’s group is as follows:

Group C 

• Elland
• Ovenden
• Mayfield
• Saddleworth
• Siddal 

Mayfield will play each team home and away plus Hunslet and Milford from group D home and away making twelve fixtures in all plus the play offs.

This abridged season will be the last winter season for Mayfield, although they are hoping to continue to field a team in a winter league of some description.
Training is well under way at the Castleton club with Coach Sam Butterworth working the squad hard in preparation for what will be another tough season.

There have been a couple of exciting close season signings among them Eric Johnson from St Anne’s, but the most exciting being young Ieun Higgs who came through the junior ranks before spending three years at the Salford academy. Ieun made a successful return for Mayfield in last weeks Rochdale 9’s when he helped steer his team to the title as well as scooping the player of the tournament for himself. Another significant addition to the club is that of Dave Green a personal training guru.

Chairman Simon Howe is particularly excited about this coup for the club: “ Dave came to us in the close season and offered to come on board with the aim of improving the players overall fitness.

“He has most certainly achieved this, the difference is already noticeable and the players are responding very well. Dave uses functional training methods rather than just the weights and the results are there to see. Any one wishing to train with Dave can contact him through the club.”

Other changes include the selection of Todd O’Brien as club captain and Rob Kershaw as vice captain.

The NWC side has also seen some big changes with several young players coming through hoping to make their senior debuts this season. Coaches for the season are again Leon Ashworth ably assisted by Marvin Conolly. Both coaches are excited by the prospect of the young talent available to the team this year.