Rugby: Mayfield Seconds v Crossfields

Following a period of four weeks without a game, you could forgive any rustiness that the home side would have, but this proved far from the truth with a barnstorming performance against an under strength Crossfields team.

With a few key players missing Mayfield were reliant on the older end of the playing spectrum with the like of Andy Battersby, Joe Hart and Damien Corcoran all in their usual positions in the pack, with Craig White and Duncan Simpson filling in unfamiliar positions at centre and loose forward respectively.

The home side were also strengthened with the return to the club of Callum Marriott and back to action Ieuan Higgs following a period of injury. Both were bonus additions to the side with Marriott leading from the front with strong running and Higgs with the guile to crash over for a hat-trick of tries and 13 goals.

Other noticeable performances were from Johnston and Nyland in the pack, with George Yewdale scoring the try of the day showing his power and speed to outrun the entire defence and crash over.

Mayfield started the scoring on the third minute and the game continued in this vain throughout, with the game plan being adhered to by all.

Coach Leon Ashworth commented: “I knew this performance was on its way due to the way the lads have been training in the weeks without a game.

“We tried to stick to the game plan, and this proved to be fruitful with the result. This all goes towards the important cup match against Latchford in a couple of weeks, and if we can stay on track we should have a great chance of progression.”

The Crossfields management viewed Damien Corcoran as the outstanding player for Mayfield closely followed by Simpson, Greaves, Higgs and Devlin. Coach Ashworth noted Crossfields number nine Keagan as their star man.