Mayfield 16 - 18 York Acorn

Undefeated York Acorn arrived at the Mayfield Sports Centre on Saturday brimming with confidence and looking like a side who expected to win. Mayfield however, had other ideas, boosted by their win in the Standard Cup last week, coaches Sam Butterworth and Matt Calland were determined to carry that into this game.

The game started with both sides testing each other to the limit and both sides also bombing clear scoring opportunities. It must also be said that both sides were guilty of making mistakes and giving away possession unnecessarily.

Ben Butterworth was at the heart of the Mayfield defensive effort, putting in consecutive tackles on numerous occasions; he was ably assisted in the opening fifteen minutes by Carl Abraham and Ian Sampson.

Paul Brearley took control of his forwards, and Aiden Gleeson and Matty Moores took the team to within metres of the try line.

Rob Kershaw took the ball at acting half back and powered his way over for his teams first try, Aiden Gleeson converted.

This was a great game for the neutral supporter with play going end-to-end.

Only a try saving tackle from Paul Brearley prevented Acorn drawing level, however, soon after a series of missed tackles allowed Acorn to score.

The teams then cancelled each other out as both sets of forwards strived to dominate their opposite numbers.

With the introduction of Ben Simpson and Gareth Ellis, Mayfield seemed to have gained the upper hand until a cynical, and surprisingly unpunished, elbow from an Acorn player on Abraham, and the ensuing brawl, upset the momentum.

Mayfield, to their credit continued to play rugby and Sammy Sampson, rose above the intimidation to feed the ball to Gareth Ellison who powered his way upfield to set Tod O’Brien up for a try before half time, Aiden Gleeson converted.

The completion rate for the first half was poor but it was even worse in the second with dropped ball and loose passes putting the team under unnecessary pressure.

The referee was giving some very strange decisions and Mayfield struggled to create any momentum and it was from one of these decisions that Acorn managed to grab another try.

The visitors were on the front foot now and looked like a winning side, only a try saving tackle from Aiden Gleeson prevented them going in front.

A fantastic team effort in defence kept Acorn at bay with Taurean Sheehan and Si Moore leading the way but again it was Ben Butterworth with three consecutive tackles that kept Mayfield in the game.

Matty Moores and Rob Kershaw combined to set Ben Simpson up for a break, with the ball moving cross field before Paul Brearley found John Foy who proved too quick for his opposite number as he put his side in front, 16 – 12.

Acorn fought back but again the defence held firm, until the visitors left a player in the Mayfield line and he blatantly obstructed the would be tackler as the attacker went through the gap for the winning score with only two minutes to go.

Acorn collected the points but only through Mayfield's benevolence, with so much lost ball and a very one-sided penalty count they lost this game rather than Acorn winning it.

The York Coaches awarded Ben Simpson the man-of-the-match but he was pushed close by Si Moore and Ben Butterworth.

There was also an outstanding debut for new signing Gaz Sharrocks, who showed he will be a great asset to the club, with a non stop performance in defence and attack.

Team: Rob Kershaw, Komai Namulatua, John Foy, Ben Butterworth, Carl Abraham, Paul Brearley, Taurean Sheehan, Matty Moores, Tod O’Brien, Aiden Gleeson, Gaz Sharrocks, Sammy Sampson, Si Moore, Saqib Murtza, Ben simpson, Ben Duffy, Gareth Ellison.