Mayfield Alliance 32 – 28 Waterhead

Mayfield entertained Waterhead on Friday night under the floodlights at Castleton and didn’t disappoint the large crowd.

Waterhead came out of the blocks on fire and the much improved side from last season grabbed a converted try in the second minute of the game, Waterhead’s hooker jinking through a couple of poor tackles and getting under the sticks. Field responded immediately with Devlin showing his Impressive power and seemingly limitless pace to good effect with half back Marsland pulling the strings two try’s to Mayfield were the result. As the game settled down it was the forwards turn to shine the effective Hancock bossing the pack around the park, a big effort from Fridge Robinson and fellow prop Nyland was key to Mayfield maintaining field position, but a couple of silly mistakes and needless penalties led to 5 repeat sets on Mayfield’s line, although the scrambling defence was brilliant eventually Waterhead got what the pressure deserved. This entertaining game ebbed and flowed and Jake Johnstone showed some great footwork and pace to duck and dodge defenders busting the line and scoring a cracking try. The introduction of wiley old fox Connolly boosted Mayfield and he made an impact almost immediate with a weaving run through numerous defenders to pop a sweet pass out to Kelly to score in the corner.

The second half started pretty much as the first with Waterhead getting another score from their influential hooker. Again the forwards had to put in a shift and the returning Alex Widdup was immense in the middle with good support from Johnstone and Bradley, but against the run of play Waterhead grabbed another and it was game on. Mayfield’s speed demon Devlin then scored the try of the game if not the season so far as retuning a deep kick from waterhead stepped two players, shrugged another of and then hit the gas sprinting fully 70m to score, Waterhead were armed with some pace their selves but as Devlin passed the home dugout he seemed to be jogging while his pursuers were struggling to get anywhere near him. Waterhead weren’t done though and again came back at Mayfield albeit by their own penalties invited the pressure. This end to end game continued and Mayfield had some great approach play as Marsland and O’Donovan dictated the pack up the park, Marsland belted a kick along the floor on the last tackle that seemed to be heading for Castle Hawk until Devlin hit the turbo boost and somehow managed to get his hand to it to complete his 4 try haul. This game now seemed to be we score one then you score one and that’s just what Waterhead did scoring a good try their selves to leave the last 10 mins on a knife edge. Mayfield needed to keep calm and keep their structure and had to look no further than Duncan 80 min man Simpson and vastly experienced Harte to get them up the pitch, Waterhead gave away a penalty under the posts and Marsland duly converted. As the seconds ticked away Mayfield had to dig deep and last ditch tackles were being made all over the pitch, Taylor, Kelly and Hargreaves to name a few were literally saving try’s as Waterhead pilled on the pressure, but this Mayfield side is made of stern stuff and had the guts for the battle till the last second of the game.

Man of the match awarded by Waterhead was Hancock for running Mayfield’s forwards, 2nd was Harte and 3rd Simpson for his 80 min slog; Devlin deserves a mention for four great tries, the retuning Alex Widdup for a massive impact from the bench with huge stats. It was also great to see the experienced pair of O’Donovan and Connolly back in the mix together who started out as 7 year olds with coach Ashworth 26 years ago.

The Alliance league is proving to be a great test for Mayfield this year and Fridays game was a great advertisement for Rugby League in general, Mayfield now sit second behind Leigh Miners and as we approach the second half of this short season field hope to have some exciting times ahead, starting with St Anne’s at home this weekend.

Team: Andy Taylor, James Kelly, Nick Hargreaves, Joe Harte, Dave Devlin, John O’Donovan, John Marsland, Mark Nyland, Paul Hancock, Brad Robinson, Dunc Simpson, Jake Johnstone, Lee Bradley. 

SUBS: Neil Connolly, Craig White, Alex Widdup, James Percy