Mayfield 14 - 18 Siddal

Photo: Aidy Gleeson

Callum Ogden, Mayfield 14 - 18 Siddal

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Neutral fans of rugby league were treated to a cracking game on Saturday as Mayfieldlost narrowly to Siddal in the Kingstone Press Premier Division clash of the day.

Mayfield suporters were left thinking of what could of been.

Both teams started strongly with some ferocious defence and skilful speedy attacking play but it was Siddal who rode their luck after five minutes. A speculative kick through on the last play caught the Mayfield defence out and a lucky bounce saw the ball end up in the hands of the Siddal winger who put his side's first points on the board as he went over in the corner.

Mayfield responded well and Paul Brearley was unlucky not to level the scores as he was tackled short after a brilliant forty metre break.

Mayfield upped the pressure and only fantastic defence from the Halifax based side kept them out.

There was no stopping Callum Marriott though as he crashed over after an amazing spell of rugby which showed a true never say die attitude with players refusing to accept the move was dead and keeping the ball moving. Butterworth couldn't make the kick and the score was all square.

Within minutes Mayfield were in front when Paul Brearey read a Butterworth play and followed up his kick. Again the conversion was missed.

The Mayfield forwards were involved in a real battle for ground with their opposite numbers and for long spells they just edged the contest.

The Mayfield defence was caught wanting though as the Siddal standoff waltzed his way through a static line to put his side back on a level footing.

Siddal were unlucky not to reclaim the lead when their big prop hit another gap in the Mayfield line.

This spurred Matt Calland into action and he showed his many years of experience when he followed his own kick through and managed to steal back the ball, winning a penalty when the player he outwitted took offence. Butterworth slotted the kick over.

This was a real arm wrestle of a game with neither side really gaining outright supremacy. Maybe the telling point was the needless penalties that once more began to pepper through Mayfield's game and it was from one of these indisciplines that Siddal threw two passes out and went over in the corner to lead at half time.

The second half continued much like the first with Mayfield giving away penalty after penalty, at one stage they gave five penalties on the trot putting themselves under massive amounts of pressure.

You can’t do that at this level without paying the price and Mayfield did just that with bodies tiring after the extra defence they had to put in. The big Siddal prop exploited this and strolled through the line to extend the lead.

The referee tired of Mayfield's indiscretions and placed them on a team warning, a warning they ignored and Seta Tala paid the price, after another four repeat penalties he was given a ten minute spell in the bin, a spell which actually turned into thirteen minutes after the ref ignored Mayfield pleas to reintroduce him.

This was an energy sapping spell for the Mayfield side but they stuck doggedly to the task and were rewarded when Sean Watkin forced his way over in the corner to put the game back within reach.

Mayfield gave it their all for the last five minutes but they didn't have enough in the tank to take the game from Siddal and were left ruing the opportunities they handed to their opponents.