Rochdale Mayfield 22 - 12 Wigan St Patrick's

Man of the match Declan Sheridan - Rochdale Mayfield 22 - 12 Wigan St Patrick's

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Mayfield welcomed Wigan St Patrick's, one of the form teams in the division, to Rochdale on Saturday and despite a sometimes disappointing display, showed enough sparkle to take the points.

The first 10 minutes of the game started with a flurry of knocks-ons and a penalty for the home team, as St Pats were too vigorous in a tackle on Jack Sampson that could have easily seen them reduced to 12 men.

Errors and penalties set the tone for the day as Mayfield took advantage to charge up the field, complete a set at last, and score when Sean Watkins grounded a smart grubber kick from Sam Butterworth. Butterworth converted.

Mayfield didn't take the hint that discipline with the ball was paramount as Callum Marriott tried an impossible offload in his own 20, to give St Pats the chance to pressure the Mayfield try line defence - they held out.

A Nick Hargreaves error gifted another pressure set on the Mayfield line. They held out again and escaped danger when Jack Sampson scooped up a loose pass and raced 50 metres up field. The winger was caught, but two quick plays later the magnificent Declan Sheridan sped across field left to right, to jink in untouched. Butterworth missed the conversion.

Marriott and Hargeaves conspired to gift possession in their own half, but another loose pass by St Pats was scooped up by Liam Whalley, who fought for a quick play the ball that saw Declan Sheridan dummy through from acting half back for a 50 metre run to the line. Butterworth converted.

Mayfield again lost their game discipline, to give the Wigan side numerous sets on the Mayfield line. They held out, but lost Sean Watkins to the sin bin with half time approaching.

Following the restart Lewis Sheridan, until then having his best game for some time, dropped a regulation pick up from acting half back.

The next three home possessions were painful as Matt Calland produced a poor end of set kick, Tala first dropped the ball clean, then threw an unnecessary pass, but Mayfield defended bravely to survive.

Mayfield scored again when Matt Calland worked hard for a quick play the ball that saw Declan Sheridan jump out and put Callum Marriott over for a try on the right touchline. The conversion couldn't have been more difficult, but Sam Butterworth kicked it.

The otherwise faultless Declan Sheridan dropped the ball over the try line after a great Aidy Gleeson bust and Sprint down field.

Mayfield's defence had to work overtime again when Sampson gave away a penalty in possession and the visitors forced a repeat set, then scored off the last play as Mayfield eventually ran out of steam.

Lewis Sheridan failed to collect a grubber through the line on the last and was second to react and the St Pats chaser touched down.

It was too little too late though as Mayfield's much improved defence held the Wigan side out from then on.

On reflection Mayfield played some scintillating rugby league in parts, but their lack of discipline with the ball kept St Pats in with a shout.

Resolute defensive effort, particularly on their own line, earned them the two league points.