Hunslet Warriors 18-16 Rochdale Mayfield

Ben Simpson, Rochdale Mayfield

3 More Image(s) In Gallery

Rochdale Mayfield travelled to Hunslet on Saturday (23 June) to take on the Warriors, in a clash that depicted how far the Rochdale side had come over the last few months. Soundly beaten at home by Hunslet at the beginning of the season, Mayfield travelled over the Pennines with an eight match unbeaten run, and with a little bit more luck, could have extended that to nine.

Mayfield started like a house on fire and quickly established a ten point lead as Matt Calland and Ieuan Higgs took advantage of the massive appetite for work in attack and defence shown by the 'awesome foursome' front row forwards of Ben Simpson, Mark Biggins, Aidan Gleeson and Matty Moores. Higgs converted his own try and Mayfield looked to be cruising, but Hunslet dug deep and started to tie up the ball carrier to great effect. The officials were happy with the wrestle tactics and Hunslet used this to fight back to 6-10 and then 10 all on the stroke of half time.

The West Yorkshire weather had been kind until that point, but as the heavens opened Matt Calland brightened the day with his second try straight after half time. Aidan Gleeson converted for a 10-16 lead. Again, Hunslet came back and injuries to Matty Moores, Sam Butterworth and Paul Lane, the latter a serious knee injury, depleted the Mayfield ranks.

Mayfield could not clear their lines and despite strong claims of a forward pass and a foot in touch respectively, Hunslet scored two unconverted tries to push their noses in front at 18-16. Mayfield felt aggrieved but reacted in the right manner to fight their way up field, where with seconds remaining, Sean Snape forced his way over the line for a try that would surely win the match. The officials disallowed the try, to break Mayfield hearts and their impressive unbeaten run.

Despite coming home without the points, the Mayfield players showed that they are now a force in this division and the ever increasing support base can look forward to an exciting second half of the season.

Man of the match: Mark Biggins

Team: Jack Samson, John Foy, Matt Calland, Ieuan Higgs, Sean Snape. Sam Butterworth, Paul Brearley, Mark Biggins, Todd O'Brien, Ben Simpson, Ben Butterworth, Jack Ashworth, Eric Johnson, Aidan Gleeson, Matty Moores, Paul Lane, Nick Hargreaves.