Oldham St Anne 22 - 30 Mayfield

Mayfield travelled in to the unknown for their first game of the new short season to come up against a St Anne’s side who were three divisions above Mayfield last season.

The newly formed NCL Alliance League (second’s) will throw many exciting challenges at Mayfield this season and no more so than the local derby against Oldham’s big guns.
With over 20 players to choose from, Mayfield took a strong youthful squad across with a total of 8 of last season's under 18’s in the side and started brightly with a early spell of pressure with shots on from Bradley Robinson and Lee Bradley.

St Anne’s drew first blood with their first attack to score.

Mayfield again pushed deep into Oldham territory but came away with nothing, Oldham with the introduction of ex Mayfield war horse Dave Hamer pushed Mayfield back, some poor defence resulting in a second try for the hosts which was converted 10 - 0.

Mayfield’s coaches asked for a reaction and that’s what they got with strong running from James Percy and Brad Robinson.

Mayfield built pressure and Nick Hargreaves grabbed a deserved try, Marsland added the extras.

Marsland was now bossing the centre of the pitch with Bradley and Hargreaves proving to be a continuous thorn in St Anne’s side. Simpson, Nyland and Hancock were also making there presence felt, leading to good approach play providing Jake Johnson with a opportunity to get his first try of the season, Marsland again adding the extras. 10 – 12.

St Anne’s would not lay down and came back at Mayfield, a couple of silly penalties lead to St Anne’s scoring a third try and was converted to take it to 16 – 12 at half time.

This end to end game continued in the same fashion in the second half but Mayfield grabbed the first try with Hargreaves making the yards; Marsland worked the play to allow George Yewdale to score in the corner. Marsland was unlucky to hit the post with the kick, 16 -16.

Hargreaves, Duffy and Bradley continued to give the hosts a hard time and it wasn’t long before Hargreaves scored his second, score 16 – 20.

St Anne’s came again with Dad and lad combo of Dave Hamer at Prop and youngster Kieron at scrum half Anne’s grabbed another converted try 22-20.

Mayfield’s subs proved to be the difference as Ben Widdup and Kev McCormack introduced some fresh legs and both had effective spells, while Craig White played out of his skin, showing the guile and experience of an old head that’s needed in a fierce local derby.

As the minutes ticked away it looked as though Mayfield were going to miss out, but another charge was left in the batteries and Hargreaves again broke the line to dash 70 yards to score in the corner running over the full back in the process, 24 -22 with only 5 minutes to go.

As Mayfield tried to see out the game Lee Bradley was determined to put the game beyond doubt, with arguably the try of the game taking the ball towards the posts pushing defenders aside and managing to find the power to get over the line. Marsland added the extras and Mayfield took a deserved 2 points back to Rochdale.

22 - 30 Full time

There were big performances from Hargreaves with massive stats and 3 tries, debutants Yewdale, Percy, Robinson, Senior and Mc Cormack, Simpson took the MOM from St Anne’s but a special mention has to go to Bradley who was apart of everything positive that Mayfield did.

Team: Senior, Yewdale, Devlin, Hargreaves, Harte, B Duffy, Marsland, Nyland, Hancock, Robinson, Johnson, Simpson, Bradley. 
Subs: B Widdup, Percy, Mc Cormack, White.