Mayfield 46 – 24 Egremont

Photo: Ian Neild

Lewis Sheridan going in for try number 5 - Mayfield 46 – 24 Egremont

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It was a tale of two halves at the Mayfield Sports Centre on Saturday as Mayfield eventually ran out comfortable winners against Cumbrian rivals Egremont Rangers.

Mayfield had the perfect start as Sam Butterworth managed to find touch with the kick off and from the scrum his side worked the left channel creating the space for Paul Brearley to dummy his way over in the first set to give his side the lead.

Mayfield were unlucky not to extend their lead  after several players just failed to ground Butterworth's kick through.

Egremont stiffened up their defence to snuff out the threat posed by the Mayfield forwards and, somewhat against the run of play, they levelled the score when the strong centre squeezed over out wide.

Butterworth was involved again as his long ball found Jack Sampson who broke through and found Lewis Sheridan in support with a great pass. Sheridan grounded the ball by the posts. Chris Hough slotted over the conversion.

The conditions began to worsen and with driving rain the mistakes crept in from both sides, with plenty of dropped ball costing both sides dearly as they traded scores.

Sheridan’s second came as he picked up a dropped ball. Hough again converting.

With five minutes to go of the first half Egremont were having their best spell of the game and only stern defence from Cameron, Connelly and Chris Hough kept them out.

It took another dropped ball, on the first tackle, to unlock the ranks and the big Egremont number four went in for his second.

With a minute to go in the half Egremont took the lead after a neat kick over was collected by the winger who touched down in the corner for a converted try.

Half time came at just the right time for Mayfield who were in danger of losing their way at this point.

Egremont sensed an upset and remained on the field during the interval.

Matt Calland took his team to the dressing room where he pointed out their frailties and the need to regain the upper hand.

The second half saw old stager Hough organise the side. His contribution, especially in defence was superb. Time and again he led the way with youngsters Jack Rush, Callum Ogden, Cameron Conelly and Zac Baker benefitting from his enthusiasm. Some wag in the crowd was heard to comment ‘look at Houghy he’s got injuries older than those four’.

With the defence scrambling to keep out the Cumbrian threat Mayfield  broke upfield where a penalty allowed Dec Sheridan the opportunity to get on the score sheet. Converted by Hough.

Mayfield had regained the lead, a lead they never looked like losing again as they remembered it’s not good enough to just be a good side, you have to play like a good side.

The transformation was massive as they turned on the class. Rhys Carruth, Jack Rush and Liam Whalley repelled any thoughts of Egremont getting back into the game.

When Dec Sheridan put in a great little kick, brother Lewis was on hand to hack on and follow up to complete his hat-trick.

The brothers again combined as Dec threw a perfectly timed pass to Lewis, who happily went accepted as he touched down for his fourth. Hough converted both and the game was effectively sealed.

A great break from Zac Baker enabled Paul Brearley to grab his second before a never say die attitude saw Egremont camped on the Mayfield line. They forced an error and grabed their only second half score.

Lewis Sheridan showed the importance of backing up your players as he followed the impressive Carruth on a break and grabbed his fifth try of the game. Converted by Zac Baker.

Mayfield's second half performance made up for the error strewn first, admittedly down to the weather, this was vintage Mayfield playing fast open rugby and a joy to watch.

Sam Butterworth and Chris Hough were outstanding and Seta Tala had his best game of the season but the contribution from the youngsters, all products of the Mustangs youth section was fantastic.

The Man-of-the-Match was probably the easiest one of the season, you just couldn’t overlook the five star, five try performance of Lewis Sheridan.