Skirlaugh 10 - 16 Mayfield

On a freezing cold February morning Mayfield made the long journey to Yorkshire where they beat Premier Division side Skirlaugh in the first round of the Tetley Challenge Cup.

The conditions on the coast were even worse than in Rochdale, with a strong sea breeze and temperatures just above freezing this was not an ideal day for rugby league.

Mayfield captain and coach Matt Calland opted to play with the wind in the first half and this proved a good decision as they ran in 10 unanswered points in an impressive first half performance.

A move involving Rob Kershaw, Joe Qanuici and Callum Marriott saw a Calland pass reach new signing Orisi Nawaqaliva, who went over in the corner for a well deserved debut try. Lewis Sheridan failed with the conversion attempt.

Skirlaugh put up a strong fight but the Mayfield defence held firm with Marriott, Matty Williams and Mark Biggins stopping attacks and driving Skirlaugh back metres at a time.

Paul Brearley and Sam Butterworth took control of the game.

Sharp passes from hooker Lewis Sheridan gave the half backs time to organise the side and work openings in the line.

Only excellent defence rom the home side prevented Mayfield from building a greater lead.

Sheridan and Brearley created the space for Joe Qanuici to chip the ball through and follow up for a Sheridan converted try, 0 – 10.

A lost ball and consecutive penalties gave Skirlaugh the chance to get on the score sheet.

Fine defence from Komai, Williams and Luke Sampson snuffed out every chance as it arose.

Excellent prompting from Butterworth and Brearley saw Mayfield regain their composure.

The second half saw Mayfield in total control for the first 15 minutes with Calland unlucky when he had a try disallowed for failing to ground the ball.

Mayfield continued to push and a Williams break was rewarded as Nawaqaliva and Butterworth carried the move on, and when Marriott received the ball there was no one going to stop him as he powered over for a try. Converted by Sheridan. 0 – 16.

Mayfield were finding the second half conditions difficult with the strong wind against them and this began to show as Skirlaugh took a foothold in the game.

A loose pass from the Skirlaugh stand off bounced favourably into the arms of their number 10. The bounce wrong-footed the Mayfield defence and he managed to cross by the posts for a converted try, 6 – 16.

Mayfield were giving away costly penalties and a couple of losses of possession gave Skirlaugh the impetus as they forced their way upfield time after time, only to be repelled by some strong defence from Biggins, Marriott, Williams and Sampson.

With five minutes to play the Skirlaugh winger chased a speculative kick from his scrum half and managed a touch down in the corner. 10 – 16.

Mayfield were not going to give up this game easily and more resolute defence saw them hold out and finish the game as victors to seal their entry into the draw for the next round of the world's most prestigious rugby league competition.

Man of the Match was awarded to full back Komai Nualamatua, pushed all the way by the impressive Matty Williams on his return and Mark Biggins, whose effort in defence was matched by his powerful driving runs.

Mayfield Team: Komai Nualamatua, Orisi Nawaqaliva, Matt Calland, Liam Whalley, Rob Kershaw, Paul Brearley, Sam Butterworth, Mark Biggins Lewis Sheridan, Luke Sampson, Callum Marriott, Matty Williams, Joe Qanuici, Ben Butterworth, Seta Tala, Sean Mucahy.