Hattons National Conference League: Milford Marlins 18 – 6 Rochdale Mayfield

Mayfield travelled to Leeds to take on Leeds side, Milford Marlins, who currently lie top of the group d table. Mayfield systematically dismantled the Milford defence earlier in the season at home, but strangely lacked direction and focus, as they fell to a defeat that leaves them without a win on the road this season.

Milford’s centre, Josh Nathaniel, was in fine form and he ran Mayfield ragged, but it was a close run game, with Mayfield giving the home side plenty of anxious moments in a game that was tough and uncompromising but still offered plenty of good Rugby League.

Mayfield had the better of the first quarter, with second row Joe Qanuici proving a real handful and hooker Todd O’Brien, scrum half Ben Butterworth and centre Sean Snape going well, and they reaped the reward when centre Paul Lane grabbed a try that Aiden Gleeson goaled. 

The lack of direction showed from then on in as Mayfield failed to trouble the scorer again that afternoon. Milford fought back and Nathaniel blasted in at the corner for a unconverted try. He added a second before the break for a 10-6 halftime lead and eight minutes after the restart added a third for 14-6 lead. 

With a quarter of the game to go Mayfield were not out of it until Aiden Gleeson was dismissed, and despite the efforts of the remaining 12 players Nathaniel added his fourth try for a 18-6 final score.

For the second week in a row Mayfield scored first then seemed to fall in love themselves and lacked the direction and determination to finish the job.