Leyland Warriors 32 - 14 Mayfield

Rochdale Mayfield travelled to a young, up and coming side in the form of Leland Warriors looking to add to their maiden win last week. It always looked to be a big game, and with the depleted Mayfield side being forced to field a couple of fringe players as well as older heads, this was going to prove the case.

Both sides started brightly with some enterprising rugby being played.

Mayfield seized the initiative with a try from Hargreaves, and a typical hooker’s try from Hancock, the latter being converted by Andy Lee.

Leyland then began to stretch the away side in the flanks and brought the scores level at half-time with two well worked tries and a conversion of the first.

Things were looking positive for Mayfield and this was the basis of the half-time talk, guidance on where they were strong, and the areas of improvement needed to improve.

The change of ends seemed to suit the Leyland side as the next twenty minutes proved to be the game breaker, and they ran in 24 unanswered points as Mayfield looked tired and seemed to lack the fortitude of the previous half.

Following some select words behind the sticks, Mayfield began to rally and took the game by the scruff of the neck to again force the initiative and claw their way back into the game and managed to cross over the line once again with Hargreaves grabbing the second of his brace, with Bradley failing to add the extras.

A good performance on reflection was the coaching team’s review of the day given the circumstances with Nyland, Yewdale, Simpson and Greaves showing good go forward in the pack, and Hartley in particular showing maturity in defence given his years.

Man of the match was awarded to Nick Hargreaves, closely followed by Bradley and Hancock.

This week’s training will be stepped up in preparation of Bold Miners before a short break in the season for the Bank Holiday, as a much needed second win will be aimed for.