Leigh Miners Rangers 28 – 26 Mayfield Alliance

Mayfield travelled to Leigh to face the high flying Miners Rangers and almost pulled off what would have been the victory of the season so far.

The last time these two met, in the old NWC div 3, Leigh were on an upward march to higher divisions and Mayfield were struggling resulting in a 70+ point defeat. This time around that was not the case with a well prepared Mayfield raring to go.

Mayfield started brightly and were unlucky not to score first with Hargreaves and Bradley making great yards down the right flank, but against the run of play a knock on from the visitors gave Miners the head and feed at the resulting scrum and showed exactly why they have been playing at the level they have the last couple of years, a fast sweeping attack from the scrum lead to a converted try in the corner, 6-0.

Mayfield again dominated possession and pressed the Leigh line, after a couple of repeat sets Hargreaves powered over to score, Marsland added the extras. Mayfield were unlucky to loose West with a bad sternum injury as he was one of the standout players in the first 15. Mayfield’s big forward pack was making itself know with numerous drives from Nyland and Simpson. Leigh managed a spell of pressure and following from silly penalties Mayfield’s hard work was undone, another speedy break from Leigh’s back line saw another good converted try. By now Mayfield knew that they would need more possession and work harder to defeat their skilful opponents. The introductions of Bradley and Johnstone from the bench lead to more pressure on the hosts and Marsland grabbed a 2 pointer from a penalty, in the following passages of play Marsland lofted a delightful kick the Leigh full back spewed the ball under pressure and Bradley reacted first to grab the score, Marsland was unlucky with the kick 12-12 HT.

Leigh started the second half brightly but their next score came from another Mayfield mistake, fast footwork from Leigh’s impressive fullback got them a converted try. Leigh’s tails were up and they could smell blood more impressive back play getting them over the white wash again score 24-12. Mayfield’s coaches demanded a response and they got one, great work from forwards Percy, Hancock and White lead to decent back play and Hargreaves smashed over for his 2nd of the match 7th in three games. Marsland grabbed the extras 24 – 18. This open game continued in the same vain with Leigh responding their selves and getting an unconverted try 28 -18. With little left in the tank Mayfield tried to find away through the Leigh defence and with only 5 minutes to go they found one in the form of Bradley ‘the fridge’ Robinson, the big man burst the Leigh line and with the support of Hancock to his right and Taylor to his left threw at least 4 dummies before dragging two defenders over the line with him to score try of the game, Marsland hurried the extras 28-24. In the dying seconds Mayfield gave it one last effort and were unlucky not to grab the points at the death, Final Score 28-24.

This was a great advert for Rugby League at a good venue, with the teams treated to RFL linesmen to officiate the game was played in the right spirit by two good Rugby teams and show’s the jump in standard from North West counties to National Conference. The game was also a signal of how far Mayfield have come in the last two seasons and everybody involved should be proud of themselves, With numerous players stepping up from last years U18’s and proving themselves at this level it looks like Mayfield will be in good hands for years to come.

Hargreaves was rightly awarded the man of the match, Hancock and Bradley 2nd and 3rd respectfully. Simpson put in his biggest shift of the season and the returning James ‘ned’ Kelly also impressed with big stats. 

Team : Andy Taylor, Kristian Duffy, George Yewdale, Nick Hargreaves, Stef Howard, John Marsland, Dunc Simpson, Paul Hancock, Mark Nyland, Craig White, Alex West, Lee Bradley.

Subs: Johnstone, James Percy, Brad Robinson, Leon Ashworth