Rugby league: Mayfield preview

Mayfield travel to Halifax this weekend to face Siddal in the final game of the NCL premier division season proper.

Next week sees the start of the play offs, leading up to the NCL Grand Final on either 7 or 8 October at Featherstone Rovers Ground.

Mayfield look like they will finish third but depending on results, a Mayfield win and a West Hull loss, they could end up in second place which would make it their best season in the premier division, their previous being third place in 2015.

None of this will matter on Saturday. As the two teams run out at Siddal's Chevinedge ground, the only thing on the minds of both sets of players will be winning the game.

Teams like these two take each match as it comes and that's what will happen this afternoon. It's been a long time since Siddal failed to reach the play-offs, but that's what will happen if they fail to win.

So we have Siddal needing to win to reach the play-offs and Mayfield needing to win to achieve their best finishing position in the NCL.

This has the makings of an absolute belter of a game. Mayfield's victory over Wath Brow last week has certainly given the side a boost, not that one was required, while Siddal won away against relegated Leigh Miners at Twist Lane.

Mayfield seem to have the upper hand in this one with players coming back from injury as well: Jordan Parr will face a late fitness test after recovering from a neck injury, Si Moore returns after his suspension, while Harry Sheridan and Ben Metcalfe return to the squad after U18 international duty.

Team selection will be a tough one when Sam Butterworth and Steve Wood sit down on Thursday after training but, as always, it will be the 17 players deemed the best for this game.

On a sad note, it was bad news for Dec Sheridan last week as it was confirmed he had broken his leg in the tackle against Wath Brow.

Dec will be in plaster for six to eight weeks, so that's his season over. Dec was having an outstanding season and will be a big miss in the play-offs, but that's rugby league: the team will get on with it and Dec will rise from the ashes next season, raring to go.

Mayfield spokesman Curly Kershaw spoke for all when he said: "Dec will be sorely missed over the next month, he was playing some of the best rugby of his career.

"I feel gutted for the lad. Everyone who knows Dec knows it's not just his rugby that will be affected; he was doing really well with his Irish dancing, taking part in competitions and exhibitions whenever he could.

"Don't worry, Dec; we know you will come through this, fitter and stronger. All the best, my friend."

Andy Reed and Craig White's NWML side will entertain Cumbrian opposition when Hindpool Tigers make the trip down to the Mayfield Sports Centre.

Hindpool sit one place and one point above Mayfield so a very competitive game is anticipated. Mayfield went down away at Ashton Bears last week when they just didn't perform. The coaches will be expecting more at home.

Reed has a good nucleus of players and has been supplemented by the inclusion of a couple of U18s. This hasn't been the best of seasons for the side, but they have paid the price for the number of injuries the first team has suffered. Hopefully this game will see the side boosted by at least a couple of returning players.

The ladies' fixture has yet to be confirmed, please see Facebook page for latest update.

Saturday 9 September 2023

• NCL Premier Division: Siddal v Mayfield, kick-off 2.30pm
• NWML Division 2: Mayfield v Hindpool, kick-off 2.30pm

Sunday 10 September 2023

• Ladies TBC