Mayfield match preview

Mayfield face the formidable Leigh Miners this Saturday in the NCL Challenge Cup.

Although not enjoying the best start to this season, Miners are still a Premier Division side playing Premier Division rugby week in week out so this will be the toughest challenge of the season so far for the Rochdale side.

'The Miners go into the clash on the back of a morale boosting league win over Egremont Rangers last weekend and will be fully expected to see off a Mayfield side that sit mid-table in Division One’, was the headline in the cup round up on the NCL web site this week and Mayfield Coaches Matt Calland and Sam Butterworth will be using this line to spur on the troops at training and before kick off.

There are a couple of injury worries for Mayfield with Ben Butterworth ruled out with a broken arm, Calland and Luke Sampson are doubts with hamstring strains but Matt Ovington trained this week for the first time after knee ligament damage and will be in contention for a place.

Despite the missing players, Mayfield will still travel with confidence having already beaten Premier Division opposition in the last round. If they play to their potential they are in with a good chance to progress to the next round.

In The NWML Div 3, Mayfield play hosts to league leaders and undefeated neighbours St Anne's.

Derek Buckley's men will have their work cut out in what will be their toughest test of the season so far. But with players returning from injury and work commitments they should have their strongest squad of the season available for this clash.

Fixtures 01.06.13
NCL Challenge Cup; Leigh Miners v Mayfield - 2.30pm kick off
NWML Div3 Mayfield v St Anne's - 2.30pm kick off