Mayfield 30 Eccles 36

Simon Moore in the clear for Mayfield

Mayfield once again failed to pick up any points in this division 1 clash against local rivals Eccles at the Mayfield Sports Centre on Saturday.

Mayfield started well and but for a stray pass would have gone ahead after two minutes, this appeared to knock the team and for the rest of the first half they looked shaken and lacking in confidence.

There were at least three occasions when winger Ieuan Higgs was left begging for the ball in acres of space with the line wide open to him, but lack of vision left him frustrated in no mans land.

Going 0 – 18 down after twenty five minutes left the home side with a mountain to climb, the introduction of ex Littleborough prop Gareth Ellis had an immediate impact as his go forward and willingness in the tackle had a positive effect on his new team mates. It was good work from Ellis and then Saqib Murtza which gave Todd O’Brien the field position from where he powered over from two yards out to narrow the gap Ieuan Higgs converted, 6 – 18.

Some tenacious tackling from Ben Butterworth forced an error and Mayfield were unlucky not to capitalise as again the final pass went to ground. Eccles made good ground from the next set and put up the high kick which full back Rob Kershaw duly diffused, but when possession was surrendered on the very next tackle under the sticks Eccles smelled blood and within three tackles had crossed for another converted try, 6 – 24, half time.

There was no talk in the dressing room about defeat it was all positive and about how the game could be won. When the team took to the field for the second half there looked to be a more positive attitude about them. From the kick off they appeared more assured and aggressive in both attack and defence and it was only a very good 40/20 kick that gained the opposition any ground, unfortunately this caught Mayfield unawares and from the resulting scrum Eccles created an overlap for their winger to grab another converted try, 6 – 30.

The game looked well and truly beyond the home side at this stage but Simon Moore, Mark Biggins and Ben Butterworth refused to lie down every time Eccles got the ball these three were there to meet them never giving an inch.

Gradually Mayfield began to take the upper hand, growing in confidence and at last gaining some self-belief. Mark Biggins and Ellison went forward at every opportunity, a quick play the ball saw Rob Kershaw make a further twenty metres Ben Butterworth carried the move on then a high tackle on Biggins gave Mayfield the penalty the ball moved wide and Matty Moores proved unstoppable as he crashed over, Gleeson converted, 12 – 30.

Against the run of play the visitors grabbed another score after a great move on the Mayfield twenty, 12 – 36.

Undeterred the home side again went all out to try and win the game, Taurean Sheehan and Danny Moran were coming more to the fore now getting involved in everything their side did, from a Sheehan break O’Brien shipped the ball wide for Sammy Sampson who was moving at pace as he rounded the defender for a Higgs converted try, 18 - 36.

Sheehan was instrumental again as his kick was gathered by Si Moore who once more showed the massive improvements he has made this season, as he scored for Gleeson to convert, 24 – 36.

The crowd was really behind the team now as they sensed a great comeback on the cards, Si Moore made an interception and galloped sixty metres before being tackled, O’Brien gave the ball to Komai Namulatua it then went through four pairs of hands before Sampson grabbed his second try of the day, 30 – 36.

Mayfield were camped on the Eccles line giving it their all in the search for that elusive two points to kick start the season. If the game had gone on for five more minutes they may well have managed it but that’s rugby league.

On the day Mayfield showed they have got what it takes they now just have to apply that from the first whistle to the last. Sammy Sampson once more showed his versatility as he moved between second row and the centre, Ben Butterworths work rate had to be seen to be believed with Moran and O’Brien also putting in a good shift the MOM though was a split decision between Sheehan and Moore with the sponsors giving it to Si Moore because as they put it he is the better looking.