Dudley Hill 38 - 50 Mayfield

Mayfield were full of confidence when they arrived at Dudley Hill’s Memorial Ground for this Hattons Division 1 game and that confidence showed from the start as they ran in two tries in the first ten minutes through Lewis Sheridan and Paul Brearley both converted by Sheridan.

Mayfield were showing an attacking flair that few teams could have defended against,  Sheridan and Brearley along with Sam Butterworth were at the heart of everything their side did.

Whether it was lack of respect for the opposition or lack of concentration, the result was the same as the defence failed to react to quick play from Dudley, which resulted in an easy score in the corner.

Mayfield hit back to restore a 12 point margin when a great break from Qanuici found Dan Kaufman in support; Kaufman made the rest look easy as he coasted in. Sheridan converted again.

As good as Mayfield's attack was, the defence was worse as Dudley Hill grabbed three tries to Mayfield’s one from Matt Calland.

On the stroke of half time Dudley converted a penalty to take the lead for the first time: 24-22.

From the restart Mayfield made a schoolboy error with a loose pass, which Hill pounced on the ball to further Dudley's lead to 30 – 22.

Both sides continued to show defensive frailties but equally both sides showed some brilliant attacking touches.

Mayfield began their fight back as Todd O’Brien prompted his forwards with the skill and tenacity he has shown right through his career; he was rewarded with a try as he proved too strong for the Dudley defence to hold. Sheridan converted to bring Mayfield within two points.

Joe Qanuici, Mitch Spackman, Matty Moores and Luke Sampson dominated their opposite numbers with defensive hits that made the crowd wince.

Mark Biggins and Si Moore came on to continue the onslaught.

The Dudley's hearts must have sunk with every substitution.

Biggins and Rob Kershaw made yards up the middle, from where a quick play the ball allowed Butterworth the chance to drop Qanuici back on the inside to wrong foot the defence and score a great try and regain the lead. Sheridan converted.

With 15 minutes left Dudley levelled the scores after again catching the Mayfield defence asleep.

A tense last part to the game on was on the cards.

Mayfield ran in three quick scores from Sheridan, Brearley and Calland to seal a 38 – 50 victory

The faithful travelling Mayfield fans were delighted with the win and the overall performance, although there was much debate about the defensive frailties shown by their team.

The man-on-man tackling was again superb but the team lacked a bit of cohesion as a defensive unit.

The signing of Lewis Sheridan has had a positive effect on the side and when he moved up from full back to get involved in the play, alongside Paul Brearley, the team responded magnificently with eager runners queuing for the ball.

O’Brien and Butterworth also worked well together probing and asking questions of the opposition all through the game.

Spackman had another great game as did Moores, Moore, Biggins and Luke Sampson, with another 80 minute stint, but the stand out forward was again Joe Qanuici.

Team:

Lewis Sheridan, Rob Kershaw, Matt Calland, Wayne Ryburn, Dan Kaufman, Paul Brearley, Sam Butterworth, Mitch Spackman, Todd O’Brien, Matty Moores, Josh Watson, Luke Sampson, Joe Qanuici, Si Moore, Kristian Duffy, Marc Biggins, Lee Atkinson.