Rugby League: Rochdale Mayfield 12 – 32 Hunslet Club Parkside

Mayfield faced the form team in the competition – top of the league and unbeaten Hunslet Club Parkside – and despite showing plenty of effort, were a clear second best on a warm day at home, in front of a large and appreciative crowd.

Hopes that Mayfield would repeat last week’s red-hot start were dashed early as they had the worst possible start, failing to take the kick off and the visitors winger sped onto the ball to score in the first play of the game.

Hunslet and their big pack tried to tried to force home the advantage with controlled and aggressive running and tackling.

Mayfield coped well and matched their opponents for the next 20 minutes as both teams probed for the opening.

Ironically, it was a Mayfield break that led to the opening Hunslet try, as Nick Hargreaves drove straight into the defence on his own 20 metre line and burst through to charge downfield. He was caught on the half-way and on the next play, as Mayfield tried to press the advantage, a loose pass was scooped up by a Hunslet player who raced to the line for a try. The conversion sucessful.

Hunslet moved further ahead as their scrum half scooted in off a Mayfield mistake. 

Mayfield  failed to clear their line and, from an obvious obstruction, Hunslet scored a crash-over try under the posts.

Mayfield had competed hard in the game for little reward but mistakes in their own 20 metre zone saw the visitors take a commanding half time lead.

Rochdale Mayfield 0 – 22 Hunslet Club Parkside

Hunslet repeated the first half start, as again they scored off the kick-off with Mayfield dozing.

Mayfield never gave up, with strong forward play by Aidan Gleeson and Nick Hargreaves, determined defence from Liam Whalley and some attacking flair from Matty Chrimes and Wayne English, but Hunslet made very few mistakes and controlled possession and field position well, to strangle Mayfield out of the game.

Whilst pushing hard in attack, a loose Mayfield pass on the break was collected by a Hunslet player who raced in for another try.

With just 10 minutes remaining Mayfield got reward for their efforts when sharp passing from Paul Brearley, Callum Marriott and Matt Calland found Ieuan Higgs in space on the left and he sprinted through to step past the cover in fine style for a well worked try.

Mayfield worked an opening that put Ieuan Higgs into space and this time he fed Paul Brearley who took the try. Ieuan Higgs converted.

Higgs completed the scoring converting his own try.

Mayfield Team: Wayne English. Lewis Butterworth, Matty Chrimes, Matt Calland, Declan Sheridan, Paul Brearley, Sam Butterworth, Jimmy Connaughton, Callum Ogden, Simon Moore, Liam Whalley, Callum Marriott, Aidan Gleeson, Yassine Boutouba, Ieuan Higgs, Nick Hargreaves, Jake Boardman.