Mayfield preview

After last weeks showing against Rochdale Hornets, Mayfield are looking forward to carrying on the good work as they entertain Gloucestershire University in the Challenge Cup.

The visitors are very much an unknown quantity, they had a couple of good results last season including a creditable performance against Leeds Carnegie one of the top university sides in the country.

This year so far they appeared to have lost a bit of form, but this is the cup and for them to come to the Mayfield Sports Centre is like their cup final and there is no doubt they will be pulling out all the stops.

Matt Calland and Sam Butterworth have been in the game long enough to know that you can’t underestimate anyone in this game. To that end training has been tough this week with all the usual pre match preparations.

Butterworth says he was happy with last weeks performance, “Everyone played well, without exception, Ben Simpson, Aidy Gleeson, Saqib Murtza, And Mark Biggins were outstanding in the forwards while in the backs Rob Kershaw, Matt Calland, Daniel Moran and Carl Abrams stood out, the shining stars on the day though were undoubtedly Tod O’Brien and Eric Johnson. We still have a couple of injuries that we are contending with but we are hopeful that Taurean Sheehan and Matty Moores will be passed fit.”

Mayfield NWC are also at home today where they entertain Westhoughton Lions. Mayfield won comfortably against Lions in their last meeting and are hopeful of another good showing today.

“Westhoughton are a good side with a massive pack so we need to keep the ball moving and tire them out they will come here today wanting revenge, it’s up to us to stop them and that’s what we intend to do said coach,” Joe Harte.

Harte is aware of not being able to field a settled side this season, but is also aware he has some quality players at his disposal.

“We have the nucleus of a decent side with some good young lads having come through from last year. With Luke Hartley, Daniel Slack and tom Greenwood all doing well. It’s not all about the kids though we also have a wealth of experience with Anthony Greaves, Andy Battersby, Curly Kershaw and Tony Parker, so the youngsters have some great role models from which to learn their rugby from. We’ve done ok in the league this season and are happy with the progress so far.”

Fixtures:
Challenge cup, Mayfield v Gloucestershire All Golds. Kick off: 2.00pm
NWC div 4, Mayfield v Westhoughton kick off 2.00pm