Stanningley 20 - 22 Rochdale Mayfield

Rochdale Mayfield Rochdale Mayfield travelled to Leeds on Saturday for a Hattons Solicitors National Conference League Division 1 clash with Stanningley Rangers.

In theory this should have been an easy win for Mayfield, Stanningley have been in and around the relegation places for much of the season and whilst Mayfield's hopes of promotion have slipped in the last few weeks, they are still pushing for the top rather than the bottom of this season's highly competitive league.

Stanningley though are desperate to keep their Division 1 status and looking for the two points that would probably clinch safety, they obviously targeted this game as a 'could win', and gave everything they could in the effort.

The opening 15 minutes were tight as scrambling defence and simple errors kept the game in midfield, until Sam Butterworth sparked into life, bursting through the line at pace on the left before being stopped just short.

A Todd O'Brien short kick saw Aiden gleeson held up in goal, and from the resultant drop out Eric Johnson scooted in for an unconverted try.

The home side fought back and Mayfield assisted them by turning over possession of the ball on or around the halfway line in the next three sets.

Full back Ieuan Higgs knocked on as he let a kick through bounce, and from the resultant scrum Mayfield were still asleep as the Stanningley pivot stepped through the defence to score under the posts.

The half was played out with neither side able to take control, although a huge hit by Mark Biggins should have yeilded a try, as Paul Brearly scooped up the dislodged ball but could hold on to it over the line.

Half time brought some relief for the players from the intense heat of this perfect September afternoon, and despite the two point deficit, the sizable travelling Mayfield support were confident of better fare.

The second half proved a much tougher affair as both sides went for the jugular.

Uncompromising defence, particularly by Biggins, Johnson and Ben Simpson, gave Mayfield the ball in the Stanningley half. For once they finished a set and Aiden Gleeson contested a Sam Butterworth chip, caught and returned it to Butterworth who sped to the line. Gleeson converted.

In the next set Mayfield could have sealed the game, but a Carl Abraham break was stopped short by great cover defence from the Leeds side, desperately clinging to Mayfield coats tails.

This seemed to affect Mayfield for the worse and failure to complete set after set gifted Stanningley the ball on the line and they levelled with a fall over try.

The return of Simon Moore to the field after 40 minutes warming the bench seemed to show Mayfield the way forward, and Sam Butterworth stepped through the defence in trademark fashion, and handed onto Moore who scored a Gleeson convereted try.

Eric Johnson then copied Butterworth with his own classic side-step through the line, and he handed on to Luke Sampson for another Gleeson converted try.

That really should have been it for this game but Stanningley tried all they could and, aided by consecutive debatable decisions from the officials, they scored two tries get back in the game, and but for a missed conversion would have drawn level, but the game was closed out at 20-22 and an away win for Mayfield.

In truth Mayfield should have taken the points much easier, but the 'scruffy' and desperate defence from the hosts was effective against the Mayfield attack for whom too many 50-50 passes went to ground.

Man of the match for Mayfield was Ben Butterworth for his non-stop display in attack and defence.

Mayfield Team: Ieuan Higgs, Kristian Duffy, Rob Kershaw, Carl Abraham, John Foy. Paul Brearley, Sam Butterworth. Aiden Gleeson, Todd O'Brien, Luke Sampson, Ben Butterworth, Simon Moore, Eric Johnson. Mark Biggins, Jake Boardman, John Marsland, Ben Simpson.