Rugby league: Golborne 18 - 14 Mayfield

Photo: Aidy Gleeson Snr

Reece Hamlett

Andy Reid and Craig White resisted the opportunity to include senior players in their side to face Golborne on Saturday 22 July after the untimely postponement of the NCL game.

This move showed the regular players the high regard and confidence that the coaching staff holds for them. The lads on the pitch repaid that confidence in buckets full as they got underway against a much bigger and more experienced Golborne side.

Just five minutes into what was already a very competitive game, full-back Tyler White made a great break and then put Isaac Reid into space. Scottish U16 international Issac showed why he is so highly thought of as he went from the half way line, turning the defence inside out and scoring under the sticks, Green added the conversion, 0 - 6.

It was obvious this was going to be a close game as both sets of players gave their all in a great defensive effort. Mayfield kept the upper hand though as the powerful Reece Hamlet smashed his way through out wide to make it 0 - 10.

All looked rosy, but a sin binning for Joe Schofield upset the rhythm and Mayfield lost their momentum. The home side picked up the pace and showed why they are second in the league as their experienced second rower shot through a gap to narrow the deficit, 6 - 10.

Mayfield reacted well and were soon matching the opposition again all over the park. Harrison Chapel was inspirational as he took drive after drive and it took two or three players to stop him every time. Chapel was very unlucky not to get a score as he crashed over the line and was adjudged to have knocked the ball on, which was hotly disputed but still the try was not given. Golborne came straight back up the field and were pressing the Mayfield line, but the blue line held firm until the referee appeared to signal tackle complete under the Mayfield sticks, the defence loosened their grip and the attacker reached out and touched down for a score which should never have been, 12 - 10.

Mayfield were under the cosh now and looked to their experienced players for guidance, Rob Kershaw and Ryan Tetley provided that and the young lads, especially Charlie Mckler, Sam Hilton and Brad Rowley came to the fore.  Yet another great passage of play saw Mayfield move the ball out wide and Hamlett finished like a super league player as he acrobatically dived over in the corner to reclaim the lead for his side, 12 - 14.

This was Hamlett's last involvement though, as he had to leave the field with a shoulder injury. 

The second half was always going to be tough for the Rochdale side, having lost Hamlett and the inspirational Billy Pirouzan, they then also saw Ben 'the powerhouse' Picken having to go off with a badly damaged thumb. Mayfield gave it their all and it was to their absolute credit that they kept competing and for long periods out playing Golborne.

Every thing seemed to go against Mayfield now though, even the penalty count, and then it began to take its toll. Golborne took advantage of a tiring Mayfield outfit as they capitalised on a quick play the ball and their winger squeezed in in the corner, 18 - 14.

It was a Herculean effort from the depleted Mayfield side now but they never took a backward step in their quest for another try. It wasn't to be though and the home side ran out winners. This really was a game lost and the lads felt like they had had their pockets picked when the whistle went. With a little more luck and a little more discipline Mayfield might have won this one.