Rylands Sharks 36 - 10 Rochdale Mayfield

Danny Walker, Rochdale Mayfield

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A spirited Rochdale Mayfield performance was not enough to prevent defeat at powerful Warrington-based club Rylands Sharks in the North West Counties Winter League competition.

George Yewdale scored a try in each half and John Marsland added a late conversion for Mayfield, but the Sharks stormed to a comfortable victory.

Boasting a number of professionals in their ranks, including former Conference National Player of the Year Jono Smith of North Wales Crusaders, Rylands usually ply their trade in the Premier Division.

And these qualities shone through despite Mayfield’s blend of youth and experience producing a performance of which they can rightly be proud.

Looking to build on a narrow 16-0 loss against Blackbrook the previous week, Mayfield were behind when Mike Ward went over after just five minutes.

They were level midway through the first half however when Yewdale scored a well-taken try after receiving a cross-field bomb.

Parity lasted less than five minutes though - Sharks’ man of the match Carl Lloyd restored their lead with a try and Pete Leonard added the conversion.

Mayfield defended well through Andy Battersby, Mark Nyland and Billy Percy but two Jack Hancock tries - both converted by Leonard - gave Rylands a 22-4 half-time lead.

A keen fighting spirit was maintained in the second half, leading to players from both sides being sin-binned, but Rylands coped better with the change in numbers to add three tries before the hour mark.

Danny Hoyland, Chris Meacock and Adam Coley all scored, with Smith and Coley adding conversions to rack up a comfortable lead for the hosts.

When both teams returned to their full compliment of players, Mayfield enjoyed a change of fortunes however.

With Joe Harte, Curly Kershaw and Craig White - the opposition’s pick for Mayfield’s man of the match - putting in huge efforts and 16-year-old debutant Gavin Low impressing, the visitors were rewarded with a consolation try.

Kershaw’s smart chip and chase was seized upon by Yewdale to double his and his side’s tally for the match shortly before full-time with Marsland converting.

Team: Sean Hill, Luke Hartley, George Yewdale, Billy Percy, Andre Durrand. Craig White, John Marsland, Andy Battersby, Curly Kershaw, Mark Nyland, Danny Walker, Paul Carmody, Joe Harte. Replacements: Gavin Low, Simon Howe.