Rugby league: Wath Brow 24 - 26 Mayfield

A classic game of rugby league was forecast for this game on Saturday 6 May, and it didn't disappoint as two very good sides went at it for 80 action-packed minutes. It's thought that Mayfield had never won on this ground before, coaches Butterworth and Wood were adamant that that was about to change.

Mayfield started strongly and a great kick and chase after the first set stated their intention. Sean Penkywicz was unlucky not to open the scoring when the Brow defence dislodged the ball as he crossed the line. In great conditions, both sides were guilty of early unforced mistakes as they tried to break down the opposition and Si Moore, guilty of a technical infringement found himself in the bin for ten minutes with only 15 minutes gone. Wath Brow showed their class as they upped the tempo of the game and a set play from the scrum exploited the space left by Moore's absence to score in the corner, 4 - 0.

The next ten minutes really showed the Mayfield spirit as everyone lifted their game to keep the Cumbrians out until the numbers were restored. Coach Butterworth made a tactical gamble as the ten minutes were up and made a triple substitution. The move paid off within minutes as the Mayfield forwards hit the line at pace and put pressure on in the Brow ten. Travis Long, Luke Fowden, and Dave Mills were immense in the forwards as were Lewis Butterworth, Sam Wright and Dev Long in the backs. Nick Hargreaves caught everyone out as he made one of his trade mark powerful drives and then added a deft little kick on the end of it Travis Long reacted first and scored a great try off the kick, Parr converted, 4 - 6 and Mayfield took a lead that they never lost.

The next ten minutes leading up to half time were what effectively won Mayfield the game, they were outstanding, playing some superb rugby. Dakota Tolhurst almost extended the lead but was held up. A high kick from Dev Long was followed by Parr who fed a neat pass to McDaid who scored the try, Parr converted, 4 - 12.

Mayfield dominated this period of the game and the score reflected their superiority when a break from Travis Long was finished by Lewis Butterworth to make the half time score 4 - 16.

 

 

The second half saw Mayfield slip into bad habits and unforced errors cost them possession and position. An uncharacteristic missed tackle allowed the home side to cut the lead with a converted try, 10 - 16.

Brow were back on it now as they gave it their all to get back in the game. Although there was no shortage of effort from Mayfield there were too many mistakes and the impressive Brow fullback ghosted through a massive gap for a great score out wide, 14 - 16.

The reintroduction of Sheridan and Penkywicz steadied the ship and Mayfield began to regain some control, once again pressing the Brow line. The next try was going to be all important and it came Mayfields way. Sheridan upped the pace and caught out the defence as he slipped through from acting half back, Parr converted, 14 - 22.

Five minutes to go and Brow again showed they weren't going to give up their unbeaten home record easily as they pegged Mayfield back to a two point game, 20 - 22.

They were matching Mayfield blow for blow now but Sheridan was again instrumental as he picked the ball up from loose forward and put McDaid through the gap with a well timed pass, 20 - 26 with about two minutes left, game over.

Wath Brow hadn't read the script though and they went all out as they tried to snatch something with a late try, the conversion would have tied the game, fortunately for Mayfield and their travelling fans the kick was short and victory was theirs, 24 - 26.

There was a huge sigh of relief from the Rochdale lads as the final whistle went and the two points were in the bag. "Make no doubt about it this win was massive," said assistant coach Steve Wood, "We arrived here today knowing we were capable of turning Brow over and we have done that. There were some mistakes especially in the second half but we showed we are good enough to go all the way."

The Mayfield forwards put in a proper shift and effectively won the game for them as for long periods they dominated their opposite numbers. But the backs also played a big part in this win Lewis Butterworth, Dec Sheridan and Dev Long were the pick of the backs while Trav Long, Dave Mills and Seta Talatoka stood out in the pack.

The man of the match picked by the coaches was Sam Wright, whose laid back style continues to catch out the opposition.