Mayfield preview

Mayfield travel to Leeds this afternoon where they hope to show just how much they have improved so far this season.

They face Hunslet Warriors who were victorious at the Mayfield Sports Centre in the first game of the campaign 18–40. On that day Mayfield were without several key players but should still have had enough to defeat Hunslet, today they hope to do just that with players returning from injury and work commitments.

One player who will be missing though is Simon Moore who begins a two match ban following his dismissal three weeks ago.

“We haven’t had a full squad so far this season,” said coach Butterworth, “So it’s been tough on the players but we make no excuses we should be winning games. We are probably the fittest side in the competition, with the work done by conditioner Dave Green but we have to concentrate more on playing rugby.

“We have some quality players at the club and we need to utilise them. We have hit some kind of form recently despite last week’s reversal at the hands of Siddal.

“In our two outings against them we have scored 18 and 22 points respectively, which are the highest amount of points they have conceded this season.

“I feel confident if we carry on improving we are capable of finishing in the top three in the group.

“Moores and Moore have worked hard together along with Johnson and O’Brien, the addition of Higgs has added another dimension to our play and this is what we missed earlier on. Hunslet have had a decent start with 4 wins from 7 outings and we don’t intend to let them make it 5 from 8.”

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Mayfield Alliance are at home today with Oldham side Waterhead being the visitors.

Waterhead are in the same position as Mayfield played 3 won 2 so a cracking game is in prospect this afternoon.

With players returning to the first team the Alliance side should be strengthened today as players return to the team.

Coaches Ashworth and Connelly couldn’t be happier with the start their side has made to the season.

“We went to Leigh Miners a fortnight ago and were unlucky not to return with the points,” said Ashworth, “We bombed a couple of chances and it cost us dearly but that’s what the game is about, if you don’t take your opportunities you lose, its simple.

“That said I was over the moon with the performance and feel we will only get better as the season continues.

“We have the youngest squad we have had for a long time and their enthusiasm at training and in games is contagious.

“We have a big pack and they are running well with prompting from Hancock and Marsland. Robinson and Percy have been a revelation along with Hargreaves and Yewdale, throw old war horses Simpson and Nyland into the mix and the team starts to take shape.”

Fixtures:
NCL: Hunslet Warriors v Mayfield. Kick off: 2.30pm.
Alliance: Mayfield v Waterhead. Kick off 2.30pm.