Rochdale Mayfield 53-16 Saddleworth Rangers

Rochdale Mayfield took a significant step towards the improvement required to succeed at the highest level of amateur Rugby League on Saturday and put Premier division neighbours, Saddleworth Rangers, to the sword in the process.

Mayfield treated the crowd at The Mayfield Sports Centre in Castleton, to ten quality tries and some tough defence as they triumphed 53-16 for their second win of this interim season.

After a low key start in which both sides struggled to come to terms with the wet conditions and traded knock-ons, Mayfield stand off, Andy Lee, opened the scoring on 5 minutes when Saddleworth struggled to hold the forward power of drives by Aiden Gleeson, who drew a penalty for a high tackle, and Matty Moores, who created field position for Lee to dip his shoulder and slice through the defence from 10 yards out.

Gleeson added the goal for a 6-0 lead. Eight minutes later Sean Snape was close to extending the lead, but was pushed into touch by desperate defence on the left.

Saddleworth made an error from the resultant scrum and Eric Johnson took the ball and jinked right for John Foy to put Ben Namulnatua in at the right corner. The conversion was missed for a 10-0 lead that Mayfield held comfortably into the last ten minutes of the half, when they cut loose with four quick fire tries. First Ieuan Higgs charged through off a Todd O’Brien pass, then Eric Johnson, Rob Kershaw and Sean Snape took advantage of quick play the balls and rode a succession of high tackles for Snape to score. Ben Namulnatua got his second try as he took advantage of fast and wide passing to the right, then Snape matched the feat when great midfield offloads by Ieuan Higgs, Aiden Gleeson, Todd O’Brien and Eric Johnson sent Andy Lee close and Sean Snape capitalised to dive over. Lee and Gleeson added a goal apiece and Gleeson also a drop goal for a 31-6 half time lead.

The break did Mayfield no good though as sloppy play and a mistake in their own quarter gave Saddleworth possession and they scored a try off a chip and chase. 31-12 before normal service was resumed when on 60 minutes a long cut pass by Damian Gibson saw Simon Moore take two tacklers over the line with him.

On 65 minutes a peach of a Sean Snape pass put Ieuan Higgs in the gap and he sped 40 metres to score. Saddleworth tried to slow the game down by getting numbers in the tackle and holding down, but they neglected the marker position and Todd O’Brien made the break and offloaded for Eric Johnson to score.

Joe Qanuici rounded off the scoring for Mayfield as he powered onto a Damian Gibson drop off for a Gleeson converted try for a 53-18 victory.

Mayfield’s improvement over the last few weeks has been steady, and when they complete sets and play with enthusiasm they are a match for any team. This will be tested next weekend when Halifax side Siddal visit Castleton. 

Team; Ieuan Higgs, Robert Kershaw, Sean Snape, John Foy, Ben Namulnatua. Andy Lee, Ben Butterworth. Ben Simpson, Todd O’Brien, Aiden Gleeson, Simon Moore, Matty Moores, Eric Johnson. Joe Qanuici, Lee Moore, Damien Gibson, Mark Biggins.