Mayfield Alliance 58-16 Leigh Miners

Jake Johnstone hands onto John Marsland

2 More Image(s) In Gallery

Mayfield Alliance team entertained Leigh Miners at The Mayfield Sports Centre on Saturday, in the first round of the North West Men's League Challenge Cup, and progressed to the next round in impressive style, scoring 11 tries in a 58-16 victory.

The Mayfield club had already dispatched a strong side to Cumbria for their National Conference League victory over Millom, and the Alliance team also had a strong look to it, with Stan Connolly returning at halfback and props Mark Nyland and James Percival leading the pack.

Leigh had a strong look about them, and being from a higher division, must have fancied their chances in the game, but the Mayfield youngsters had different ideas.

John Marsland opened the scoring with a chip, chase and regather to score under the posts, and he doubled the lead when intercepting a stray pass and 'racing' over the line despite the valiant chase by a prop forward who forced him out to wide to convert.

Leigh Miners hit back when penalties and mistakes gave them field position, and it looked like it could be close contest with both sides giving no quarter in the tackle, to the delight of a sizeable crowd that basked in the sunshine.

The Mayfield pack took over and led by the impressive Damian Corcoran and mercurial Stan Connolly, Mayfield broke the line time and time again, to score tries through Marsland, Connolly, Nick Hargreaves, Anthony Bamford, Jake Johnstone, Luke Hartley, John Foy and Alex West.

Corcoran finished off the scoring with a great try following a Connolly break through, courtesy of good footwork on the halfway line. Nick Hargreaves charged the 20 metre line and kept his cool to quickly play the ball. Johnstone was backing up and handed onto Marsland who was smothered on the line, but from the play Corcoran produced a great dummy and go to dive over the line.

A performance from Mayfield Alliance that earned the praise of coaches Buck Buckley and Anthony Greaves.

The Man of the Match awards went to Stan Connolly, Damian Corcoran and John Foy.

Team; John Foy, Luke Hartley, Nick Hargreaves, Alex West, George Yewdale, Stan Connolly, John Marsland, James Percival, Damian Corcoran, Mark Nyland, Wayne Ryburn, Jake Johnstone, Craig White,  Andy Lee, Anthony Bamford, Chris Leach, Andy Battersby.