Rochdale Mayfield NWC v Leigh East

Mayfield travelled to the town of Leigh for this Saturday’s encounter with Leigh East. 

Both sides were strengthened by regular players from their summer teams and the standard showed with an exciting end to end match in which either team could have come away with the spoils.

Mayfield started the scoring on 10 minutes following some strong work by props Robinson and Percy, with Lee Bradley skipping away from the defence in the left centre to coast in from 30 yards out, Marsland adding the extras. The contest then became a muscle up between the forwards with both sides showing their power and poise.

The visiting team then added two tries in quick succession, the first a strong bullish run from Nick Hargreaves and the second another majestic run from Bradley, Marsland adding to the former only for the Mayfield side to go into the break 16-0 up at half time.
The half time break seemed to come at the wrong time for Mayfield as Leigh started the second half much the brighter and added tries on 42 and 48 minutes, both converted. Mayfield then became their worst enemies with a number of penalties conceded through ill-discipline and tired defence, which eventually led to another Leigh try for their man of the match 14 on 61 minutes, again converted by the outstanding number 6.

The game then ebbed and flowed with both sides creating opportunities to take the advantage, and on 72 minutes with a power run from 2 yards out from prop Percy under the posts, with the conversion made, Mayfield led 22-18.

The game should have been played out with the next couple of sets, however, a mistake from the away side handed the ball to the Leigh side just inside the Mayfield half. Leigh then pressed with strong running, and a lucky bounce of the ball, the hooker slid over under the posts with the conversion to be kicked. This was scored and little time was left on the clock for a reply, and this proved as only one tackle set played the referee called time.

It was a spirited performance from the Mayfield side with a strong showing from Nyland, Lee, Percy and Bradley but man of the match as picked by the Leigh coach was Hancock.