Mayfield match preview

Mayfield v Skirlough

Mayfield travel to Leeds today to take on Oulton Raiders. Oulton sit one place above Mayfield in the National Conference Division One with five wins from eight starts, including a 35 – 28 defeat at Milford last week.

Mayfield will be hoping to start the game as they finished last week, in scintillating form. The Mayfield forwards were outstanding in the second half of the game at Leigh Miners and were well supported by the backs. Joe Qanuici, Matty Moores and Mitch Spackman in particular did themselves proud. With Paul Brearley and Seta Tala standing out in the backs, with Tala’s performance in particular catching the eye playing out of position at scrum half. If he performs in the same vein this weekend, linking up with Brearley and bringing the forwards into the battle, then Mayfield will be in with a good chance of getting something out of the game.

The NWML side are in cup action entertaining local rivals Rochdale Cobras at the Mayfield Sports Centre.

Coach Derek this week decided to step down from the position. Aclub speksman said: "The Mayfield players and committee would like to thank Derek for his efforts this season."

Taking the helm this wekend will be senior players Dunc Simpson and Craig White, with almost 50 years of rugby experience between they have the knowledge and the will to win that should benefit the team.

Simpson commented: "We are sad to see Derek go but we feel we can do a good job and what a week to take over, with a local derby on the cards.

"Cobras may be a bit rusty having not played much rugby this season, so we will be looking to hit them from the off. That said we will not be underestimating them, we know they have some quality players and have just re-signed a couple of lads who have been playing rugby union. 

"So it’s game on and with a good day forecast this should be a real spectacle for the local rugby league fan”.

Last week's draw against St Anne's was a great result for Mayfield and there were some notable performances with Neil Connolly and Sean Hill standing out.

Simpson and White are hoping to have a full squad to select from and are looking to making it through to the next round of the competition.

Fixtures: 08.06.13
NCL Div 1 Oulton v Mayfield, ko 2.30
NWML Cup. Mayfield v Cobras ko 2.30