Rochdale Mayfield 40 - 26 Featherstone Lions

Seta Tala breaks through: Rochdale Mayfield 40 - 26 Featherstone Lions

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Mayfield faced a tough examination of their premier division quality from Division 2 opposition, but eased through to the quarter final of the Conference Challenge trophy with a strong performance against Featherstone Lions.

Featherstone came to Mayfield in great form. Last season they went undefeated when winning Division Three, and already this season they had won through to the professional rounds of the Ladbrookes Challenge Cup, and dispatched Premier Division opposition in earlier rounds of trophy that has it's final on Sky Sports at Widnes' Stobbart Stadium on Championship finals day.

Featherstone opened the scoring within minutes when Mayfield incurred the displeasure of the referee and conceded a penalty goal.

With Mayfield seemingly still asleep, the visitors fullback rounded the defence for a converted try and a 0-8 lead.

Both teams took 10 minutes to get the measure of the referee, who found fault in much their efforts, and it was Featherstone who cracked first, talking back to the official who used the sin bin and gave the visitors a man disadvantage.

Mayfield needed no further invitation and the impressive Liam Whalley powered over for a Sam Butterworth converted try on 12 minutes.

Mayfield were finding gaps on the fringe of the ruck and  David Wood continued the fine form he has been showing all season to slice through for a Sam Butterworth converted try.

In reality at this point it was clear that Mayfield simply had to play somewhere near their ability and the tie was theirs. No-one told the Lions that though and they roared back with try and a goal for a 12-14 lead.

Mayfield had six quality prop forwards to call on in Mark Biggins, Gaz Ellison, Aiden Gleeson, Callum Marriott, John Cookson and Jake Boardman and the introduction of Aiden Gleeson gave Mayfield the impetus needed.

With half time looming his deft kick forced a goal line drop out and on the ensuing set he smashed through the defence for a try that gave Mayfield a lead they were never to relinquish.

Half time: Rochdale Mayfield 18 - 16 Featherstone Lions

The second half started as the first with much of the attention going on the officials.

Centres Liam Whalley and David Wood found gaps in the Lions' defence to score fine tries, one converted by Sam Butterworth.

Lions hit back taking advantage of and injury to full back Seta Tala, to score a four pointer, but Mayfield were ripping in now.

Matt Calland at half back found space for strong charges by Eric Johnson and Callum Marriott, who twice sprinted down the field, only to be hauled down just short.

It was from one of these charges that John Cookson crashed over the line for a converted try and 34-20 lead that sealed the game.

Featherstone got a score back on 72 minutes but from the kick off John Cookson smashed his opposite number and took the ball from him to score under the posts for a Butterworth converted try that gave Mayfield a 40-26 win and a place in the hat for the next round.

Mayfield played a little within themselves but Featherstone Lions gave all and took no quarter in this fantastic afternoon of rugby league.

Man-of-the-match went to the action-packed Jo Qanuici and he was well supported by strong performances by Aiden Gleeson, Liam Whalley and the six goal Sam Buterrworth.

The draw takes place on Tuesday with the next round on Saturday 4 July.

Mayfield Team: Seta Tala. Rob Kershaw, David Wood, Liam Whalley, Komai Namuatua. Matt Calland, Sam Butterworth. John Cookson, Todd O'Brien, Callum Marriott, Eric Johnson, Ben Butterworth, Jo Qanuici. Mark Biggins, Aiden Gleeson, Gaz Ellison, Jake Boardman.