Mayfield preview

Declan Sheridan: Siddal 26-25 Rochdale Mayfield

Still reeling after last week’s defeat at league leaders Siddal, Mayfield will need to lift themselves again on Saturday if they are to get anything from their encounter with Kells.

The result last week was a travesty, as Mayfield were leading with only seconds to go before Siddal stole the game with the last kick of the ball.

Sam Butterworth, who remained upbeat after the game, said: “The way the lads performed was brilliant only to see the game taken away from us, but that’s gone now, we’ve put it behind us and will move on. Our focus now is the Kells game, we know they are a good side and they will be out to avenge our victory over them at our place.”

Mayfield need to get back to winning ways if they are to keep up their hopes of a top three finish, and although all of their last five games are at home, they are all against top six sides.

Every game will be like a cup final now and Mayfield will be treating each game as such. Matt Calland and Sam Butterworth will again be going for a young side as they know that those players go in to every game without fear, and that could be the key to victory in Cumbria.

The NWML side also has a tough away trip at St Helens to face the league leaders, Pilkingtons. Dave Harmer’s side has struggled this season and counted the cost of losing players to the senior squad, as the number of injuries and unavailable players mount up.

Several U18s and even some of the 16-year-olds have been included in recent weeks, though all of those players have performed brilliantly, showing that the future of the club is very positive.

Saturday’s match will be a huge test for the team.

Fixtures
13 August 2016

NCL Premier Division: Kells v Mayfield - KO 2.30pm
NWML Division Two: Pilkingtons v Mayfield - KO 2.30pm