Rochdale Mayfield ARLFC

Mayfield’s National Conference side face a trip to Wakefield on Saturday where they face Stanley Rangers.

Stanley are not enjoying the best of starts with only one win and a draw to their credit from seven starts.

Mayfield have only gone one better with two wins and a draw, so a close encounter is on the cards.

The draw at Eccles last week showed the best and worst of the Mayfield side with some basic errors in both attack and defence in the end they were lucky to cling on to a draw but there were also some very good indicators as to the standard that this side can achieve when they put their minds to it.

In particular it’s the youngsters in the team that are catching the eye. With Jack Ashworth, Ieaun Higgs, Paul Brearley and Jack Sampson all under twenty and all maturing rapidly, showing a skill level way beyond their years.

Coach Sam Butterworth said: “It’s particularly pleasing seeing the young lads do well especially as all of them played here as kids with the Mayfield Mustangs. We’ve had a great response at training and the squad have worked hard to try and overcome the difficulties we had last week. We created many chances only to see them slip away at the final moment. We’ve concentrated on all aspects of the game, from defence to staying focused for the full eighty minutes and we are confident of going to Stanley and performing well enough to win the game.”

Eric Johnson is back in contention and will undergo a late fitness test and Matty Moores is set to return after missing last week. Also in the running is new signing Joel Hinchcliffe a pacey scrum half with plenty of experience.