Ovenden 36 - 10 Mayfield

In another Lacklustre performance Mayfield slumped to third defeat from three games against Halifax side Ovenden.

The away side made the trip over the Pennines in high hopes after a week off for the challenge cup final and some good training sessions under their belts.

The transition from training to game day did not go smoothly.

Ovenden played their pitch well taking advantage of the massive slope, pulling the Mayfield defence down the hill then firing the ball back up for a home try.

Mayfield seemed to lack direction with ball in hand despite captain Todd o’Brien attempting to rally his troops.

Mayfield had their share of chances, however, the final ball often went to ground, or they simply seemed to run out of ideas.

A brawl up near the home sides try line saw Simon Moore and the Ovenden number 8 red carded.

Two further Ovenden tries off the back of penalties and missed one on ones meant that Mayfield went in 16-0 down at half time.

The second half didn’t start much better for the away side as Ovenden went in out wide, another try under the sticks looked to be the nail in the coffin for Mayfield.

However, this seemed to galvanize the Rochdale out fit as they advanced up the pitch through two penalties and outstanding prop Luke Sampson carried three defenders over the line with him, Gleeson hit the post with the conversion.

The introduction of debutant Alex West seemed to add some much needed urgency to Mayfield's game. They continued to advance up the field through good work by Gleeson and Simpson. When fullback Kershaw scooped a loose ball 20 yards out, stepped three defenders and managed to ground the ball, Gleeson converted.

The last 20 minutes was a fraught affair with Foy and Gibson having seemingly good tries disallowed for going in touch and a knock on respectively.

Ovenden finished the game stronger with two more converted tries leaving the score 36-10.

Had those two Mayfield tries been allowed then it could have been a much different story. However, that first victory still seems illusive and with Siddall away next week they best pick up!

MOM was Tod O` Brien.