Mayfield U18 28 -10 Bank Quay Bulls

Round four of the NWC U18 Cup saw Mayfield bounce back from a couple of poor recent results to progress to the next round at the expense of Bank Quay Bulls.

Only 15 players declared themselves available for Mayfield and two of those were carrying knocks from previous outings, a strong 13 took to the field though in a determined mood.

The game started well for Mayfield as they received the ball from the kick off and Schofield, Oliveira, Donnelly, and Longthorne were straight into some strong forward drives that gained field position.

Sheridan, Gartland and Chadderton were the halves, and with Mellors in support at loose forward, Mayfield quickly took charge as Mellors supported a break to get on the score sheet. Gartland added the extras.

Bank Quay are a decent side who like to throw the ball around and it was important for Mayfield to maintain line integrity in defence and so it proved as the visitors camped in the Mayfield half for repeat sets, but Mayfield were resolute and very strong, managing to hold out with no score against despite the sustained Bank Quay pressure.

A much better disciplined Mayfield than of late were not conceding penalties, and hence this led to more possession for the home team and the very impressive Sheridan was able to scoot away for a trademark try that Gartland couldn't convert at the mid point of the half.

Poole, McCondichie, Wetshokanda, Sibanda, Dube and McEvoy carried the ball forward with power and pace. This led again to good field position, and Sheridan again wriggled free of would be tacklers before out sprinting the Bank Quay defence for a 40 metre try that Gartland converted.

Mayfield U18 16 - 0 Bank Quay Bulls

Campbell lines of run were proving very difficult to deal with for Bank Quay and the forwards again laid the platform for Sheridan to capitalise and score his third try. Gartland converted well.

Bank Quay were sticking to their game plan to spread the ball wide, however, with the Mayfield defence very strong it was difficult to see how they would score in these channels but when  the referee allowed play on from a blatant knock on, and the Mayfield team stopped, the Bank Quay centre pushed on and scored a disputed try that was not converted.

Mayfield went straight back up to the other end of the filed and pinned the Bulls in their ten metre area until they forced an error. Once possession was re-gained, Oliveira went over for a fully deserved try. Gartland added the extras and the game was as good as over.

There was still time though for Bank Quay to score a late consolation try that was converted but nothing was going to dampen the spirit of the lads from Rochdale who were down to the bare 13 by the end of the game.

Coaches Battersby and Corchoran were ecstatic with the result.

Man-of-the-match awards went to Sheridan, Donnelly, and Oliveira.

The next game is at home on Sunday 11 May against Burtonwood.