Rugby League: Mayfield 24 - 18 Saddleworth

Mayfield progressed to the Oldham Standard cup final with a last gasp win over second division Saddleworth at the Mayfield Sports Centre on Wednesday night.

Despite being two divisions below their hosts Saddleworth matched Mayfield across the field.

Tries from Zac Baker and Declan Sheridan plus a conversion and a Zac Hartley penalty on the stroke of half time saw Mayfield go in with a 12- 4 half time lead.

There were outstanding first half performances from James Connaughton, James Shaw, Lewis Sheridan and Cameron Connolly with a useful contribution from Zac Hartley.

Most people thought Mayfield would dominate the second half with their superior fitness and when they extended their lead as Paul Brearley went over for a Zac Hartley converted try it seemed this was the case but Saddleworth had other ideas and they plugged away upsetting Mayfields rhythm and gradually making their presence felt.

Two tries around the half hour mark put Saddleworth right back in the game and with five minutes left their influential standoff created the opportunity for his side to draw level - a real nail biter for the Mayfield fans in the crowd.

Both sides gave it their all in the final five minutes and both sides could well have run out winners but it was Mayfield who triumphed as Paul Brearley again showed his class when he dummied his way over on the final whistle. Hartley converted to seal the win.

The Mayfield crowd breathed a sigh of relief as did the Mayfield team and coaches but Saddleworth must have felt a little hard done to after a fantastic effort.