Mayfield 40 – 18 Waterhead

New signing Lewis Sheridan was the star of the show for Mayfield as they romped to a 40 – 18 win over Waterhead on Saturday.

It took only four minutes for Sheridan to make his mark as his break allowed Rob Kershaw to coast over in the corner for the opening score, which Sheridan then converted, 6 – 0.

From the start it was obvious that Mayfield had found the missing piece of the jigsaw, and with Si Moore returning from injury and Mark Biggins returning to the club after time away this was a very strong Mayfield side.

The forwards again bossed their opposite numbers with Dybdall, Spackman and Sampson punching holes in the defence. Paul Brearley capitaliseed on this as he ghosted through a gap for the second try, converted by Sheridan, 12 – 0.

Brearley was involved again as he made space for Joe Qanuici to cross for try, 16 – 0.

Waterhead were on the ropes  and if Mayfield had scored next this could have been a cricket score, to their credit Waterhead rallied and fast hands along the line allowed them to squeeze in at the corner, 16 – 4.

Big prop Matty Moores was once again having a powerful game making some massive hits and taking drive after drive, he was rewarded when he forced his way over after a great ball from Brearley for a Sheridan converted try, 22 – 4.

Mayfield were throwing the ball about well, with Seta Tala and Brearley again linking well together and Sheridan joining the line from full back giving the side an added dimension.

A rare mistake before half time allowed the visitors to pounce on a loose ball and narrow the defecit with a converted try, 22 – 10, half time.

The second half started much the same as the first with Kershaw making a forty metre break, which allowed Sheridan to grab his first try for club at this level, also adding the conversion, 28 – 10.

Waterhead were stung into action and had a good spell pounding the Mayfield line with powerful runs and some great play with ball in hand. They managed to grab a score after a missed tackle allowed the centre through, 28 – 14.

Great defence from Mayfield stopped them improving their tally with Joe Qanuici, Mitch Spackman, Mark Biggins, and Si Moore knocking the steam out of their opposite numbers.

With Waterhead tiring, Mayfield surged up field, Biggins making 50 metre before being ankle tapped. Dybdall and Sampson made further ground, prompted by the brilliant Todd O’Brien. When Si Moore received the ball the crowd expected another powerful drive but Moore had other ideas as he threw an outrageous dummy and with an equally outrageous side step sliced through the line for a great try, converted by Sheridan, 34 – 14.

Waterhead again struck back with a cross field kick on the last which caught the defence flat as their winger pounced for the try in the corner, 34 – 18.

Mayfield rounded off the scoring when Kershaw made another 40 metre break, which allowed Sheridan the position to weave some magic as he chipped the defence, ran round and collected and grounded the ball in one movement, again he converted the try, 40 – 18.

Brearley was awarded the sponsors MOM while the coaches gave Lewis Sheridan their vote.

This was an all-round team performance, again the forwards were outstanding with Dybdall showing some good touches and the returning Biggins showing he has lost none of his fire as he punched holes through the line, while Spackman, Sampson, Qanuici and Matty Moores worked tirelessly for the cause. In the backs Tala again did well at seven with both wings, Kershaw and Duffy showing some good touches.

Team:  Lewis Sheridan, Rob Kershaw, Matt Calland, Alex West , Kristian Duffy, Paul Brearley, Seta Tala, Mitch Spackman, Todd O’Brien, Matty Moores, Adam Dybdall,Luke Sampson, Joe Qanuici, Simon Moore, Mark Biggins, Wayne Ryburn, Komai Nualamatua.