Mayfield 2nds v Leigh Miners

Mayfield 2nds entertained Leigh Miners to re ignite the rivalry that has built up over the last couple of seasons and the fixture didn’t disappoint with a feisty encounter witnessed by a decent support from both sides.

The early exchanges were nothing short of brutal with shots flying in all over the park, Parker and Nyland taking everything Miners had to offer, a needless knock on from Devlin and the visitors pounced to get a dream start leading 0-6 in the first ten minuets.

Mayfield reacted well and the structured approach play was strong with Andy Lee, John Foy bossing the runners around the field, Lee launched a high kick for Hargreaves to grab and equalizer, Andy Lee slotting the extras from distance.

Mayfield were unlucky to loose the returning James ‘ned’ Kelly as he took an arm to the face and snapped a tooth off, having to leave for emergency dental work, 'Field' were left with 3 subs and a long hot day in front of them.

As the well drilled visitors pushed Mayfield back they were awarded a soft penalty and without further invitation required grabbed the second try making it 6 – 12.

As they have done so many times before Mayfield reacted and strong running again from Hargreaves and Parker gave Lee the field position to kick straight in to the arms of young George Yewdale who finished well, Lee again kicking from distance to make it 12 -12.

Mayfield had to make the changes as the hot weather was taking its toll, unfortunately the introduction of Douggie Biggins was a short one as he too was injured and unable to take further part. The relatively inexperienced Danny Walker was then thrown in the mix and showed what this team is all about and putting his self about making his presence known in defence, one Leigh supporter commenting ‘that number 16 is like a crazy spider monkey’.

As the half wore on some tired bodies and shoddy defence allowed the visitors two quick try’s and at half time the score was a disappointing 12-22.

Mayfield brushed themselves down and came out of the blocks firing on all cylinders, with some crunching defence, and great approach play again by Foy, finding Hargreaves out wide with it all to do, barging through three defenders and stepping another to power over for his second of the afternoon, Andy Lee again faultless with the extras 18-22.

As Mayfield tried to put some more pressure on this strong Miners side the young referee made some appalling decisions allowing Miners soft yards leading to a score opening the gap to 10 points 18-28.

Leigh defended in numbers and won the floor throughout this game and eventually started to take its toll on Mayfield, and with only two fit subs were finding it hard work, Leigh then played some great rugby and brushed through some tired defending to make it 18 – 34.

With a full 20 minuets to go most of the spectators were expecting Miners to run away with it, but after some harsh words behind the posts captain Andy Lee demanded that ‘Field’ go down fighting. Soon after a 26 man scuffle on the far touchline Andy Lee’s borrowed kicking boots were in action again, this time finding Mayfield’s speed demon Dave Devlin who skinned two defenders and shot past the full back like a slightly taller version of Speedy Gonzalez taking the score to 24 – 34.

In the final 15 Mayfield didn’t take a backward step, and showed real commitment up against a strong Miners side that were bolstered by the 1st team having no fixture and a poor referee to boot. Mayfield walked off the pitch at the end proud of the effort shown but on this occasion Leigh were just too good and deserved their victory, Mayfield took this as a lesson learned and know exactly what to work on at training.
With a bit more work Mayfield will be challenging Miners in the league when the season starts proper and everyone from both clubs will be looking forward to meeting again soon.

MOM offered by Miners was Nick Hargreaves who scored 2 and was a constant thorn in Leigh’s side, closely followed by Lee who is enjoying his new captains roll and scrum half.

Team:
James Kelly – Dave Devlin – Kristian Duffy – George Yewdale – Luke Senior – John Foy – Andy Lee - Tony Parker – Paul Hancock – Mark Nyland – Nick Hargreaves – Duncan Simpson – Ant Greaves Subs Craig White – Douglas Biggins – Danny Walker – James Percy