Mayfield Review

Mayfield are in cup action on Saturday at the Mayfield Sports Centre where they face Premier Division side Skirlaugh in the Conference Challenge cup.

Skirlaugh are near the bottom of the division with only one victory so far this season, although this will not lead Mayfield to underestimate the Hull side.

Coach Matt Calland is well aware of what Skirlaugh are capable of: "They are a quality side with some quality players in their ranks" said Calland, "they have suffered this season with injuries and the loss of some players before the season started, but this is the cup and their chance to make something of the season so we will be taking their challenge very seriously.

"We were disappointed with the outcome of last week’s game but we won’t be commenting on that pending a meeting of the league committee. What we do know is that we showed a lack of concentration in some early parts of the game and paid a heavy price for that allowing some early tries in.

"We are determined not to make the same mistakes today and have spent time this week going over what went wrong so we can rectify our mistakes. As I’ve said all season if we play to our potential we need fear no-one and we go into this game full of confidence." 

Mayfield will be putting a couple of players through late fitness tests with Calland himself struggling with his hamstring, and Si Moore with a back injury.

One bright spot from last week was the inclusion of Wayne Ryburn returning from a broken leg sustained in his first game. Ryburn came through with no ill effects after coming on as sub in the first half and looked impressive, especially in in defence.

Coaches Sam Butterworth and Matt Calland will have another selection headache this week but these are the problems coaches don’t mind.

Also expecting to have a full squad to select from will be the NWML coaches Derek Buckley and Anthony Greaves. They have struggled for fixtures this season with the league restructuring, and players have struggled to maintain a level of intensity.

On Saturday they entertain Blackbrook at the Mayfield Sports Centre. The visitors have also had a lack of fixtures having played only three games but they have won all three so they are going to be a tough team to beat.

Mayfield have also been having a good season already having won the Charity cup and inflicting a heavy defeat on leigh Miners from the division above them. The coaches are pleased with the way things have gone good numbers have been training and there have been a few new signings through the course of the season.

Fixtures, 11.05.13
Conference cup; Mayfield v Skirlaugh ko, 2.30
NWML div 3, Mayfield v Blackbrook ko 2.30