Hunslet warriors 27 - 20 Rochdale Mayfield

Rochdale Mayfield travelled over to Leeds to take on high flying Hunslet Warriors in a National Conference League Interim Season game. The Hunslet side will be in opposition during the next full NCL Division 1 season, after they won promotion in impressive style last year. Mayfield put in a strong performance early in the season against Hunslet and Mayfield coach Sam Butterworth was confident that the steady improvement from his players over the last few weeks would see his charges take the two points on offer.

Strong defence was to the fore in the driving rain as both sides traded early knock-ons. Mayfield were first to take advantage when on 5 minutes Aiden Gleeson took what appeared to be a regulation drive into the Hunslet quarter but produced a stunning side step and powered through the defence to score under the post. He converted himself for a 0-6 lead. Hunslet have built a reputation on intimidating defence and they were stunned into action and ripped into the Mayfield attack, but in a great spell of ferocious and committed Rugby League, Mayfield took everything they had to give and returned it with interest.

On 20 minutes, with Mayfield pushing at the Hunslet line, Eric Johnson shot in at the corner only for the official to rule that he had been pushed into touch, but Mayfield were not to be denied, as from the restart Joe Qanuici put in a huge tackle and Ben Butterworth scooped up the dislodged ball to scoot in at the corner. The conversion was missed but Mayfield had a 0-10 lead that they held onto until the 30th minute when a Mayfield error when clearing their line gifted Hunslet field position. They took advantage to force a penalty ten yards out and were allowed a quick tap that saw them score whilst the defence were still having the decision explained to them. Mayfield’s frustration was obvious, but mark Biggins and Matty Moore used it as motivation as from the restart they smashed the Hunslet ball carrier, who spilled the ball. Hunslet scrambled to recover but three plays later, Todd O’Brien dummied at the play the ball and dived over the line for Aiden Gleeson converted try and a 4-16 lead. This was increased a minute later when Andy Lee contested and won a Taurean Sheehan cross-field bomb. On the next play first receiver Eric Johnson dummied and shot to the blind side, powering over the line for a try that proved too wide out for Andy Lee to convert.

4-16 to Mayfield at half time and they were playing their best Rugby of the season so far. Committed in defence and attack, the Rochdale side seemed to be using the threat and enthusiasm of the opposition as motivation and a catalyst to return with big hits in defence and quality attacking play. The hope was for much of the same in the second half and both sets of supporters felt the next try would be crucial. It came on 45 minutes when, with Mayfield pressing, Hunslet benefited from an unusual play the ball penalty, and three plays later they used the appalling conditions to great effect, chipping the defence for the winger to slide in at the corner for an unconverted try. It was still 8-20 but Mayfield inexplicably switched off, and offered too much possession and position to the home side. They lost Ieuan Higgs and Ben Namulnatua to injury and in a horror 10 minute period, Mayfield conceded 3 tries as they conceded successive penalties, gave away own half possession and generally lacked the composure and enthusiasm they had in the first half. The third Hunslet try, on 60 minutes gave them a 26-20 lead. Into the last quarter of the game and Mayfield showed some fight as they battled hard to regain the initiative. Lee Moore and Luke Sampson drove hard, Eric Johnson and Todd O’Brien pulled the strings as Mayfield pounded the line, but it was all to no avail as Hunslet managed to hold on and took the game with a drop goal and 7 point lead that they, just, held onto.

All in all Mayfield showed some great skill and determination in this visit to a Hunslet side renowned for their intimidating play. But for a horror 10 minutes period Mayfield more than matched them and must learn to complete sets and stick to the given game plan when it works. If they can do this, a group runners-up spot for the November play-offs is within their reach.

Team: Rob Kershaw, Ieuan Higgs, Sean Snape, Ben Butterworth, Ben Namulnatua. Andy Lee, Taurean Sheehan. Luke Sampson, Todd O’Brien, Aidan Gleeson, Matty Moores, Joe Qanuici, Eric Johnson. George Yewdale, Ian Sampson, Mark Biggins, Lee Moore.