Rugby League: Rochdale Mayfield 18 - 46 Barrow Raiders

Zac Hartley interception try - Rochdale Mayfield versus Barrow Raiders

Mayfield entertained professional side Barrow Raiders  in the RFL Championship One Cup on Saturday and, despite defeat, gave a good account of themselves in front of a large crowd.

Mayfield started brightly, regaining the kick off and completing a solid first set on the try line. If the Raiders had any doubts about the amateur's enthusiasm they were put straight, as on the first defensive set Sean Watkins pressured the kicker into a mistake and Mayfield had a chance to attack.

Aided by a penalty, Barrow marched up field to pressure Mayfield's try line. The Mayfield defence held firm.

A further penalty, this time for a high tackle, gifted another set and Barrow took advantage with a try for Lewis Charnock.

Barrow doubled their lead before Mayfield touched the ball again; quick play the balls caught the retreating Mayfield defenders offside, and front rower Oliver Wilkes crashed over.

Mayfield competed well with determined defence led by Paul Brearley, Callum Marriott and Simon Moore, and quick play the balls by Matty Ashton and Jimmy Connaughton gained field position in the Raiders 20. The chance to attack was lost though, as a poor pass was dropped.

Mayfield's push was exploited as Barrow found space with quick passing and drew three consecutive penalties for high tackles.

The Mayfield workload meant there were gaps out wide and the Barrow halves passed long to the left winger in space to score.

Undeterred, Mayfield played some good rugby and finished with an attacking kick that Barrow diffused before marching upfield, too quickly for the Mayfield's cover, to score again.

Barrow reacted quicker to the short kick-off and raced half the length of the field for a try.

Thirty points down in as many minutes and Mayfield were struggling with the pace of the game, but they regrouped and with the addition of Cameron Connolly and Declan Sheridan, started to ask more questions in attack.

Mayfield gained ground to half-way, where Lewis Sheridan chased down his own chip over and kicked on to force the panicked Barrow cover into conceding a drop out.

Strong charges by Simon Moore and Sean Watkins got Mayfield to the line and Declan Sheridan got close with an acting half back probe. He was stopped just short but managed to offload to Paul Brearley, who in turn found Zac Hartley on the left and the halfback sold a neat dummy and sliced through for a try. Hartley converted.

Mayfield had a foot hold in the game, closing the half the stronger and showing that given the chance they could match the professionals.

That chance was taken away in the first minute of the second half  as the officials immediately sin binned two Mayfield players for a late hit then a high tackle.

Mayfield made light of the two-man deficit and conceded just one try, from a slip in defence right on the line. 

Lewis Sheridan took advantage of work from brother Declan and Sean Watkins, the latter making up for his earlier indiscretion, to score in the left corner. Zac Hartley converted.

The large home support hoped for a come back, but Barrow put paid to that with a try from a dropped ball on a Mayfield exit set.

With only 10 minutes left the game had gone, but Mayfield closed the gap as Zac Hartley intercepted in his own half and raced 60 metres to score a try he converted himself.

Barrow finished off the scoring with a try and goal in the dying seconds but Mayfield players and fans were happy with their efforts, if not the application - and know they'll have another crack at the professionals in a weeks’ time.

Best for Mayfield was full back Lewis Sheridan but he was pushed close by captain Paul Brearley, forwards Callum Marriott and James Shaw and livewire hooker Declan Sheridan.

Mayfield Team: Lewis Sheridan. Kieran Harmer, Matty Ashton, Matty Chrimes, Komai Naulatua. Paul Brearley, Zak Hartley, James Shaw, Callum Ogden, Simon Moore, Sean Watkins, Callum Marriott, Seta Tala. Declan Sheridan, Jimmy Connaughton, Nick Hargreaves, Cameron Connolly.

• Mayfield face Saddleworth Rangers in the Oldham Standard Cup semi-final at Mayfield on Wednesday. Kick off at 7.30pm.