Mayfield Preview

Matt Calland, Sam Butterworth and Lewis Sheridan

Mayfield coaches Matt Calland and Sam Butterworth both agree if you want to be the best you have to beat the best and the have that in mind as Mayfield open their season with a trip to face the best, Leigh Miners Rangers. 

The Kingstone Press NCL Premier Division kicks off on Saturday afternoon and Mayfield travel to face last year’s treble winners.

Mayfield were knocked out of the play offs at Miners Twist Lane ground last season in a battle of a game and they will be hoping to reverse that defeat by coming up with a shock to signal their intentions.

Nobody goes to Twist Lane expecting to win but Mayfield know they have a good chance after a positive pre-season along with a good run in the Challenge Cup as well as securing a spot in the Standard Cup Final.

The Mayfield side will see some changes from last season’s successful team with a couple of retirements and Joe Qauninci signing for Hornets.

Coming into the side will be some of Calland's Lancashire cup winning under 18s, with Ste Campbell Paul showing up well along the more established youngsters Jack Rush and Dec Sheridan and former Bradford academy player Callum Ogden.

Missing on Saturday will be Seta Tala, still suspended after his Challenge Cup dismissal. Apart from that there is a full, strong squad available for selection and raring to go.

Leigh Miners haven't had the best of pre seasons going out early in the Challenge Cup at home to Underbank Rangers and losing out to Newcastle in the IPRO cup.

They are a very good side with an excellent pedigree and anyone who travels there knows they are in for a game, Saturday will be no different and Calland has been preparing his players for the clash.

Mayfield were the surprise package last season after their promotion and they caught a few teams out. This time around they will be the team everyone wants to beat and they will have to up their game to avoid that.

In the backs, players like Paul Brearley, Sam Butterworth, and Lewis and Dec Sheridan will hold the key while in the forwards Callum Marriott, Aidan Gleeson, Sean Mulcahy and Si Moore are players to keep an eye on, with Callum Ogden pulling them all together. Add to the mix the two new Aussies, Sean Watkins and Rhys Carruth, and this looks like an exciting Mayfield team.

Mayfield chairman Simon Howe added his thoughts on the up coming campaign: "The Kingstone Press National Conference League Premier Division is the highest level currently available in amateur rugby league and, as recent Challenge Cup attendances and results have shown, possibly as tough as the professional leagues. So the challenge to repeat last year's successes, or indeed improve on them, is massive, and one that Mayfield exist to take on.

"Coaches Matt Calland and Sam Butterworth have taken the players through a tough close season training regime that will, hopefully, pay dividends.

"The majority of last year's squad remain and we have also had an influx of youth from our junior section - the Mustangs - both into the firtst and A team squads.

"For me, this is the most pleasing aspect, Rochdale lads, playing the toughest sport in the toughest league.

"I and all involved at the club would also like to take the opportunity to thank our sponsors for the 2016/17 campaign, including Carnivore Meat, Full Contact Performance Centre, Recruitment Solutions, Underground Communications, New Bridge Chippy and Wilds of Oldham."

Fixture 12/03/16
NCL Premier Division 
Leigh Miners v Mayfield
Kick Off: 2.30pm