Rugby League: Mayfield 22 - 14 Thatto Heath

There was a different feeling about the Mayfield club on Saturday and whatever coaches Calland and Butterworth and the players themselves had done it had the desired effect.

Mayfield gifted Thatto Heath possession from the start and they grabbed a converted try.

Undeterred, and showing great strength of character, Mayfield fought back and good work from Paul Brearley saw him slip the ball to Liam Whalley who in turn found Lewis Sheridan who showed he has regained a bit of form as he weaved his way over for a Baker converted try.

Two evenly matched sides contributed to an enthralling, sometimes bruta,l game. Defences were on top and the only other first half score came from a Baker penalty.

Half time: Mayfield 8 - 6 Thatto Heath

The second half saw Thatto pressurising the Mayfield line but resolute defence from Si Moore, Luke Fowden and Paul Brearley kept them out.

It took something special to break the stalemate, this came from Brandon Wood who broke down the wing.

Quick play the balls allowed Ogden to ship the ball and Si Moore stepped up to storm through the defence for a good try.

A Baker pen extended the lead before a lapse in the Mayfield line allowed Thatto in.

Thatto upped the pace trying to wear Mayfield down and they were unlucky as a Lewis Sheridan tackle stopped their flying winger in his tracks.

Thatto levelled the scores with ten minutes to go, but minutes later undid their hard work giving away a penalty for a high shot.

In a swirling wind not many fancied Baker for this one but he slotted it over to reclaim the lead.

Mayfield allowed the restart to bounce out and Thatto regained possession pressuring the Mayfield line for a nail biting five minutes until Liam Whalley popped up with the ball, sprinting 60 metres before finding the supporting Butterworth, who finished the move with class to seal the game and a very important two points. Baker added the extras.

 

 

Mayfield Team: Wayne English, Jack Sampson, Brandon Wood, Liam Whalley, Lewis Butterworth, Paul Brearley, Lewis Sheridan, Simon Moore, Callum Ogden, Aidan Gleeson, Zac Baker, Callum Marriott, Luke Fowden, Dec Sheridan, Andy Taylor, Guillerme De Souza, James Connaughton.