Mayfield victorious over St Anne's

Bottom club St Annes were the visitors to the Mayfield Sports Centre for this Friday night fixture in the Hattons National Conference League Division 1. Mayfield were red hot favourites given their form this season and they certainly lived up to the billing in the first forty minutes, playing some fast open rugby.

The game started well for St Anne's and saw them catch Mayfield cold as they grabbed an unconverted try to take a shock lead 0-4. Mayfield responded well, gaining possession from the restart and putting pressure on the Anne's line. Anne's couldn’t deal with the Mayfield forwards and gave away five repeat sets as they tried to upset their attempts to level the score.

Not to be denied, the irrepressible Mark Biggins pounded the line along with Eric Johnson and Liam Whalley. Eventually the most robust defence had to give and quick hands along the attack saw Ieuan Higgs grab the opener; converted by Aidy Gleeson taking the score to 6-4.

From the restart Mayfield again headed straight for the St Anne’s line, being rewarded with repeat sets as smart play from Todd O’Brien left them clutching at air as he put first Luke Samson then Liam Whalley through gaps. Paul Brearley stepped-in and was unlucky not to score, but Rob Kershaw picked up the ball from acting half and forced his way through for his side’s second score. Ian Higgs converted from out wide, giving them a 12-4 lead.

Anne's hit back at Mayfield as they tried to get on the score sheet, but the home side proved too strong as their defence - led by Biggins and Whalley - crushed every attempt to gain yards.

Brearley was running the game for his side and the visitors’ frustration was beginning to show as they gave away penalties for foul play and dissent. Mayfield punished these indiscretions as they accepted the easy metres up-field and again spent repeat sets on the Anne's line, with only resolute defence by the Oldham forwards keeping the score where it was.

Mayfield more-or-less sealed the game on the half hour as Ieuan Higgs made a break and put John Foy through a gap. Foy made forty metres then found the supporting Rob Kershaw, who outpaced the Annes centre as he scored a Gleeson converted try; taking the score to 18-4.

Anne's made a rare foray into Mayfield territory only to lose the ball, with frustration seeing them give away a penalty for a high tackle which gave Paul Brearley the opportunity to take a quick tap. Brearley made fifty metres before he found John Foy with a perfectly-timed pass and sprinted twenty metres to round the full back and touch down under the sticks. Ieuan Higgs converted now 24-4.

The half time whistle gave Anne's the chance to compose themselves, but it appeared to have the opposite effect on the Mayfield side as they seemed to lose some of their composure and couldn’t quite repeat their first half form, resorting to one-man rugby up the middle of the field. This suited the less-skilful Anne's side as their strong defence held firm.

If Mayfield had continued to move the ball around as they had in the first half this would have been a cricket score. As it was, they only managed one more try as Matty Moores and Eric Johnson combined to make metres up-field. Todd O’Brien found Brearley who, in turn, found Luke Samson who powered his way through the defence to round-off the scoring for his side.

To their credit, Anne's grabbed two tries to make the final score 28-14.

This was a good all-round performance again for Mayfield, with the first half especially pleasing for coach Matt Calland. Mark Biggins was again outstanding as he lead the way in attack and defence, and also catching the eye in the forwards were Liam Whalley, Luke Samson and Eric Johnson.

Ieuan Higgs, John Foy and Rob Kershaw put in good performances while Andy Lee and Ben Duffy both came off the bench and made telling contributions but the Man of the Match, awarded by the Hornets ex-Players Association, was given to Paul Brearley who not only ran the game but was also heavily involved in the second half defensive effort.