Rochdale Mayfield 44 - 36 Saddleworth Rangers

Seta Tala goes in to score

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Rochdale Mayfield dug deep to survive a major scare, and progress through to the quarter final British amateur rugby league’s premier knock out trophy, with a thrilling 44-36 victory over local rivals Saddleworth Rangers.

Saddleworth started brightly and just two minutes in found space to score on the right when Mayfield failed to number up in defence.

Mayfield steadied as they tested the huge Saddleworth pack with brawn rather than brains.

A forced repeat set saw Mayfield pass the ball to the left, and Lewis Sheridan sliced through untouched for a Chris Hough converted try that levelled the scores.

Both sides traded ‘punches’ as play swept back and forth, but it was Mayfield who broke the deadlock as Saddleworth began to concede penalties in an effort to keep up with the higher division pace.

A penalty to Mayfield on an exit set was compounded by a penalty on the last tackle and the outstanding Callum Marriott forced his way over for a try. Chris Hough again added the extras.

Saddleworth hit back when a penalty for offside under their Mayfield posts was turned into a try as Saddleworth man-of-the-match, number eight, barged through weak, line defence.

Saddleworth again conceded penalties and a half break and quick play the ball in centre field by Seta Tala saw the ever alert Declan Sheridan scoot in unopposed from 20 metres out. Chris Hough converted for an 18-12 half time lead that Mayfield just about deserved, although Saddleworths forwards and well drilled play was more than keeping them in the game.

Two minutes after the restart Saddleworth hit back when Mayfield dropped a simple deep kick and their number eight again barged through.

Mayfield kicked the restart out on the full and conceded territory when dropping off tackles to allow the right winger to score from a neat kick to the corner. The conversion was taken.

Saddleworth held out until quick play the balls by Simon Moore and Seta Tala again saw Declan Sheridan dummy and go to put Lewis Sheridan under the posts. Chris Hough converted.

With Mayfield defending their own line, simple hands to the Saddleworth right winger allowed him in for a try under the posts as Mayfield switched off. The goal was a formality.

Liam Whalley ran a great line off Paul Brearley on the left to smash through 10 metres out. As he got to the line, seemingly certainty to score, a desperate Saddleworth tackler ripped the ball from his grasp and sent it over the try line. Whalley was first to react though as he simply dropped on the ball to score another Chris Hough converted try that levelled the scores.

Mayfield regained the lead when another high tackle penalty was followed by another offside ruling that gave Chris Hough a simple penalty conversion in front of the posts.

Mayfield tried to offload from the kick off when a good exit set was needed and Saddleworth forwards stepped up again with strong straight running to earn a try and a 32-36 lead with 10 minutes remaining.

Stunned into action, Mayfield's forwards hit back as Aidan Gleeson put Gaz Ellison into space and he fought for a quick play the ball that gave Callum Ogden room to dummy and score. Chris Hough converted and Mayfield finally looked more comfortable, albeit with just a two point lead.

With the full time whistle looming, resolute Mayfield defence forced Saddleworth to try to clear the line with an early kick that Lewis Sheridan took on half way. A skip saw him break the line and Jack Sampson followed his lead to offload to Seta Tala who crashed over. Chris Hough finished it off for a 44-36 full time score.

Saddleworth had belied their lower division status and considerably upped their game to match Mayfield, who in turn played some scintillating rugby, scoring seven of the 13 tries that wowed the crowd – if not the defensive purist.

Callum Marriott and Lewis Sheridan were best for Mayfield, whilst Chris Hough took the Ace Electrical sponsors award.

Mayfield Team: Lewis Sheridan. Rob Kershaw, Liam Whalley, Reece Carruth, Jack Sampson. Paul Brearley, Chris Hough. Nick Hargreaves, Callum Ogden, Gaz Ellison, Sean Watkins, Callum Marriot, Simon Moore. Seta Tala, Declan Sheridan, Mark Biggins, Aidan Gleeson.

Mayfield turn their attention back to the League campaign on Saturday, with a trip to Castleford Lock Lane.

The Mayfield ‘A’ team will face Widnes Tigers at home, 2.30pm kick off.