Albert Park 24 – 6 Mayfield

Mayfield’s new winter league team played their second game of the season away at Widnes Albert Park on Saturday. After last weeks draw at home to Widnes Moorfield, Mayfield hoped to go one better and secure the win.

This was not to be, with the home side fielding their strongest side of the season Mayfield were under the cosh early on with being put under pressure from the big Widnes forwards in a massive defensive effort Mayfield did well to limit the opposition to three tries.

On a terrible mud bath of a pitch the fitness of the younger home side showed.

Tremendous performances from old warhorse Andy Battersby and the ever youthful Simon Howe kept Mayfield in the game and the non stop running of forwards Craig White and Anthony Greaves brought them back into contention pushing for the break through score.

Rob Kershaw, Luke Hartley and Ben Widdup all went close and Mayfield were unlucky to go in at half time 18 – 0 down.

The second half saw Mayfield push hard for the line, great work again from Anthony Bamford and John Lewis gave them good field position from were Curly Kershaw and Simon Howe combined to find Battersby who rolled back the years as he went through the gap then with a beautiful ball found Joe Harte, who was unstoppable as he crashed through the defence for his sides only score. Bamford converted.

The game became a real battle and if Mayfield could have grabbed another try they could have really pushed for the win. As it was the home side scored again on the final whistle to seal the game at 24 – 6.

This was a very good performance for Mayfield and had they got that second score they really looked like they would have gone on to win but the home side deserve credit for their defence which was at times ferocious.

For Mayfield, Hartley and Yewdale played well on the right while the half back pairing of Kershaw and Howe showed they still have a future in the game.

Man of the Match was Joe Harte but he was pushed all the way by Andy Battersby.

Mayfield Team: Rob Kershaw, Luke Hartley, George Yewdale, Anthony Bamford, John Lewis, Simon Howe, Curly Kershaw, Dunc Simpson, Ben Widdup, Andy Battersby, Anthony Greaves, Craig White, Joe Harte, Ben Simpson, Aidy Gleeson, Matty Moores, Si Moore