Rugby league: Mayfield preview

What a game this promises to be on Saturday (30 September) afternoon over on Humberside.

Second-placed West Hull entertain third-placed Mayfield in the semi-final of the NCL premier division play offs.

The reward for the victors is a place in next week's Grand Final at Featherstone. Mayfield have never reached the final before and have not been this far for well over ten years but none of this will count for anything as these teams take to the pitch on Saturday.

Make no mistake these are two of the best teams in the country and the rugby that will be played this weekend will be as good as you will see anywhere.

There is so much at stake for the teams: the Premier Division Grand Final is the pinnacle of amateur rugby league and these two will be going all out to make sure that they are walking out at Featherstone next Saturday (7 October) to face Hunslet. It has been a long hard season and it will come to an end for one of these teams.

Sam Butterworth and Steve Wood are confident that West Hull won't beat Mayfield. They have put in two superb performances to get so far in the play offs and the coaches are sure that they will be on top form. There can't be many sides that have had as many injuries as Mayfield have had this season. It seemed like every week there was another one and there have been some serious long term ones at that.

Despite this, they are just one step away from the final. To get where they are with the difficulties they faced is testament to how far the team and the club have come this season.

There have been some real success stories as players have made the step up from the A-team, the 16s and the 18s. Players like Isaac Reid, Jake Ramsden, Charlie Mckler, Harry Ratcliffe, Corey Newsham and Gaz Ellison. All these players deserve a special mention; without them, Saturday would not be happening, and the club and their team mates would like to thank them for that.

As well as the aforementioned, there is Ben Metcalfe and Harry Sheridan, both had experience before this season but have made a real name for themselves with their performances to date. The addition of the four Aussies for this season was a real boost to the club and then when Sean Penkywicz signed, he pulled the whole lot together and his leadership has been masterly.

When asked about the game, Butterworth said: "We know it's going to be tough and we know how tough it's going to be, but believe me when I say, we are going there to win and I am very confident. We will have a good week at training this week and be ready. The boys are buzzing and we are ready to go, bring it on."

Club Chairman Neil Ramsden echoed Butty's comments when he said: "Bring it on, we can't wait for this game, we are ready to go. We are taking a massive support to Hull and I would like to thank each and every one of them personally. Win or lose it means so much to me as chairman of this great club.

"These people are paying out their hard earned money to come and watch this game and we owe it to them to give it our best shot. There is no doubt that last weeks crowd spurred us on and we are hoping for the same to happen today. We know as a club and as a team that it is within our grasp to win this game.

"We have some true class in the team and if that comes to the fore today we will come back over the Pennines with our place in the final booked." 

Saturday 30 September 2023

• NCL Premier Division play offs: West Hull v Mayfield, kick off 2.30pm