Stanley Rangers 28 - 30 Rochdale Mayfield

Mayfield picked up another two points with a hard fought victory at Stanley Rangers.

This was a match that Mayfield should have won comfortably with only their own errors allowing Rangers to push them all the way.

Stanley took an early 6 – 0 lead after Mayfield allowed them easy yards up field then gifted them a repeat set of six inside the twenty metre zone.

The travelling Mayfield faithful knew they were in for bumpy ride and they were certainly proved right as the game went from end-to-end.

Mayfield levelled the scores after Stanley lost the ball, Mark Biggins scooped it up and powered his way toward the line only to be tackled short. A quick play, the ball caught the defence asleep and Todd O’Brien nipped over from acting half back. Aiden Gleeson converted.

Stanley reclaimed the lead as their centre followed up his own kick to touch down.

Mark Biggins made repeated inroads into Stanley territory and it was from one of these drives that O’Brien set up the marauding Ben Simpson who was unstoppable from ten metres out. Ieuan Higgs added the two points.

The introduction of Eric Johnson was a massive boost to the Mayfield side with his aggressive tackling and forceful running, the home side just couldn’t contain him. His team mates rose to this and Mayfield again played some great rugby with Aiden Gleeson, Paul Brearley and Jack Sampson particularly impressive.

Johnson and Gaz Sharrocks combined to get Mayfield up field again, a penalty gave them the platform for Jack Sampson to give his side the lead for the first time. Gleeson converting.

It looked like Mayfield could run away with the game but Stanley wouldn’t lie down, pulling back a score to make it 16 – 18 at half time.

Coaches Matt Calland and Sam Butterworth impressed on their team the need to cut out the penalties, respect possession and try and be a bit more creative in the opposition twenty.

The half time talk worked almost immediately as a Taurean Sheehan kick was chased by Jack Sampson who outpaced the defenders to grab his second try. Gleeson converted.

Mayfield looked in control, but again they let it slip.

Stanley, to their credit picked up their game and claimed two converted tries to give them the lead 28 – 24, despite having a man dismissed after a disgraceful brawl that the home side started.

Fifteen minutes to go and Mayfield needed to score; they threw everything at Stanley with Rob Kershaw, Carl Abraham and Ieuan Higgs all making breaks before Gleeson drove through the defensive line. Matty Moores continued the momentum and when Ben Simpson crashed over, leaving four would be tacklers in his wake, the crowd went wild. Higgs converted to make it 28 – 30 with five minutes to go.

Again Stanley went at the Mayfield line and again Mayfield held firm with Lee Bradley, Eric Johnson and John Foy all making try saving tackles.

The whistle went, two more points in the bag and Mayfield climb upward in the division.

Mayfield look forward to next week when Stanley visit the Mayfield Sports Centre in the NCL cup.