Rugby league: Mayfield preview

It's first v third in Saturday's (13 May) NCL Premier Division clash at the Mayfield Sports Centre. Visitors Hunslet are taking the league by storm as they bulldoze all comers.

Last season saw Hunslet Warriors and Hunslet Club Parkside merge to form one team and they haven't looked back since. 8 wins from 8 starts and an average of almost 40 points per game. No doubt they are the team of the moment.

Sam Butterworth and Steve Wood are hoping their resurgent Mayfield side are the side that can halt that run. Mayfield are no slouches themselves, with a fantastic Challenge Cup showing and a very good start in the league, just one defeat at West Hull.

"If you want to be the best you've got to beat the best and that is our goal on Saturday," says Butterworth.

"Our aim pre-season was to make the playoffs and we are on target for that. I know it's early days and we can't get carried away but we are playing some really good stuff. We just lacked a bit of concentration at the beginning of the second half last week in our win at Wath Brow, but it was a very good all-round performance. 

"The new lads who came into the team at the beginning of the season are playing particularly well and this is having a positive effect on the rest of the team. Our forwards have been massive and the inclusion of Penky (Sean Penkywicz) has given us that edge that we were missing, he can read a game like no one else and can speed up or slow down play as needed.

"The interchange with Penky and Dec Sheridan is working brilliantly. Today will be a big test for us and a great measure of where we are as a team. I can't wait for this one."

Si Moore has been having treatment all week on an injury picked up in Cumbria and Callum Ogden will be missing pending his upcoming wedding, he doesn't want to spoil his looks apparently.

Apart from that, Ben Metcalfe and Harry Sheridan who missed last week due to England U18 training will both be available. Like Wath Brow last week, Saturday's opponents will be a big strong physical side and Butterworth's team selection will reflect this. 

Mayfield's North West Men's Leage side is back on the road again on Saturday albeit with a much shorter trip to Leigh Miners.

Coach Andy Reid is hoping to have a strong squad available for selection with players returning for the NCL side and the two new signings last week.

The victory up in Barrow last week was a real pick-me-up for the team and has given the young lads in the team a real boost. Winning breeds winners and Reidy and assistant Craig White will be hoping that is what happens. 

Division two is really tight one this season with only four points separating second and ninth place so a win in Leigh will make a big difference in league position and show that this team is capable of so much more.

Andy Reid was buzzing after the new signings: "Gaz Ellison and Adam West are two players with a wealth of rugby league experience.

"I am delighted they are with us. We are not getting carried away after last week but I really believe we are a team that can challenge for promotion; we have not had the best of starts so that may sound like pie in the sky but just watch this space."

Fixtures Saturday 13 May 2023

• NCL Premier Division: Mayfield v Hunslet, kick-off 2.30pm
• NWML Division 2: Leigh Miners v Mayfield, kick-off 2.30pm