Mayfield preview

Rochdale Mayfield have two sides in action this afternoon at the Mayfield Sports Centre.

Centre stage is the national conference side who face Hunslet Warriors in the inaugural national conference summer season.

This is a tough start for Mayfield who have had a patchy pre season to say the least.

Matt Calland and Sam Butterworth are hoping that the lads have got rid of their early jitters and that last Tuesday’s run out against Higginshaw was what the doctor ordered.

“Tuesday was a training session really but it gave us a chance to look at some players. I was pleased with the way the young lads performed and there were well taken tries for Danny Slack and Tom Greenwood. For today the return of the strong running Terry Whaley and pacey back Andy Taylor is a plus and there is also another good quality player who is looking to return once he sorts things out with his current club, hopefully we can include him today but that’s out of our hands. We still have a couple of players out with injuries and holiday commitments,” said Calland, “But we will be hoping we have enough class and experience to overcome Hunslet. We know we will have to improve on our last couple of outings but we also know we have the ability to do so. Hunslet are a good side and will be looking to start out with a win, we will looking to make sure that doesn’t happen.”

Mayfield Chairman, Simon Howe, said: “This is a very exciting time for us and for amateur rugby in general. The dawn of the summer competition will make our game more accessible to all. With no more freezing in sub zero temperatures for either the players or the spectators.”

Mayfield Academy are also at home this afternoon when they entertain Ashton Bears.

The Wigan based side have had a good season so far and will be hoping to continue that today but Joe Harte’s side have other ideas.

With a large squad to select from Harte will certainly have his work cut out.

He said: “We will, as always, have a mix of older players along with the youngsters and I’ll pick what I see as the right team to do the job.”

Danny Slack and Tom Greenwood will no doubt figure along with Doug Carre after their first team debuts midweek.

These lads gained valuable experience and will have learned a lot from that. Hopefully they will bring that with them and help us ease passed our opponents today.

Fixtures:
NCL div 1, Mayfield v Hunslet Warriors - kick off: 2.30pm
NWC div 4, Mayfield v Ashton Bears - kick off: 2.30pm