Rugby League: Mayfield 22 - 27 Skirlaugh

Photo: Aidy Gleeson

Matty Sean: Mayfield 22 - 27 Skirlaugh

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This was definitely a case of Mayfield losing the game rather than Skirlaugh winning it. Mayfield played some good rugby, especially in the first half, and Skirlaugh only kept in the game with some spirited defence.

Mayfield started well and should have took the lead after just a couple of minutes but Matty Ashton just failed to control the ball on the last.

To their credit Skirlaugh looked sharp and were not looking like a team in the drop zone.

Mayfield were again unlucky after the defence fumbled a Chris Hough kick and Matty Chrimes pounced on the loose ball, making thirty yards up field but again it came to nothing.

With less than ten minutes on the clock Mayfield registered their first score after good work from the forwards, Jack Francis in particular did well.

Cameron Connolly took advantage of some slack defence and went over from twenty yards for a good individual try.

Skirlaugh were back in it soon after as Jack Francis was penalised for a late tackle.

Another penalty for ball stealing put Mayfield under pressure on their own line. Two quick play the balls and and the powerful Skirlaugh second rower crashed over by the posts for a converted score.

From the restart Skirlaugh came straight back at Mayfield with the stand off putting up a dangerous bomb, but James McDade showed a touch of class as he rose above the attack under a lot pressure and made a great catch. 

Mayfield powered up field with good play from Nick Hargreaves and Jimmy Connaughton before Dec Sheridan produced a piece of magic to weave his way over for an Aidan Gleeson converted try to regain the lead.

Mayfield were in control for the next fifteen minutes with Hough orchestrating things with some strategic kicking and Matty Ashton and Nick Hargreaves doing their best to make ground.

Only strong defence from Skirlaugh that held the score.

Wehn Mayfield lost possession, the Hull-based side looked sharp and found good position and their hooker went over from acting half for a soft try. The conversion gave Skirlaugh the lead.

Matty Ashton did well as he managed to reclaim the ball from the restart.

Moments later a penalty to Mayfield allowed Sheridan to squirm through the defence and touch down. Gleeson converted.

Half time: Mayfield 16 - 12 Skirlaugh

Mayfield started the second half well enough but it wasn't long before they lost their structure and seemed to abandon the game plan.

Skirlaugh took advantage of Mayfield’s disarray and retook the lead with a converted try.

Skirlaugh looked dangerous in possession and Mayfield failed to respond. 

Zac Baker picked up a loose pass off his ankles and with the Skirlaugh team screaming knock on, the referee blew the whistle before Baker touched down over the line.

The referee conferred with his touch judge and awarded the try much to the consternation of the Skirlaugh coach who was dismissed for the field for his protestations.

Callum Marriott was coming into the game more, along with Sean Watkin and Hargreaves, but their hard work was undone when another penalty for stealing the ball gave Skirlaugh the chance to draw level, which they gratefully accepted.

From the restart they signalled their intention as they forced their way down field and popped over a drop goal for a one point lead.

An infringement from the restart gave Mayfield a shot at goal from the half way which Hough put just wide.

Gleeson gave Mayfield the lead again with two points from a penalty under the posts.

With just a few minutes left on the clock the game was still in the balance.

Unfortunately for Mayfield, a cheap penalty for stealing gave them the lead.

A poorly executed kick gave Skirlaugh possession and on the first play and the loose forward scooted from acting half to seal the game and give his side a valuable two points in their fight against relegation.