Leigh Miners Rangers A 29 - 20 Rochdale Mayfield NWCML

Mayfield were beaten by Leigh Miners Rangers on Saturday, having travelled with a bare 14 players and held their own against one of the more fancied teams in the division.

Leigh struck first through a lucky bounce when the centre crashed over out wide.

The pressure began to build on Mayfield, but the defence, a key part of the day, held strong with six sets within the their 20 metre zone.

The Leigh pressure eventually with a converted try by the Leigh number five under the posts.

This sparked a light again in Mayfield and they began to pose a more direct threat, winning the collisions and rook areas making good yards.

The game swung in Mayfield’s favour when the mercurial John Foy danced his way from the base of the scrum to out race the Leigh defence from the half way line for a converted try.

The belief was very evident that an upset could be on the cards. Mayfield began to pile the pressure.

Leigh's indiscipline gave a gifted last play penalty to John Marsland which was executed perfectly.

Half time: Leigh Miners Rangers A 10 - 8 Rochdale Mayfield NWCML

The second half started much the same as the first with Leigh piling the pressure on with many sets on the Mayfield line, but again the defence held well.

Leigh struck again through a fortuitous pass and a lucky bounce for the stand-off to stride under the posts for a converted effort.

A Mayfield team move culminated in a rare assisted try; Nick Hargreaves sliding a basketball pass to man of the match Billy Percy to swallow dive over the line. The conversion was successful.

Indiscipline again cost Leigh, and with the crowd getting on the referees back, as well as their own team, the pressure began to tell. Ieuan Higgs beat six defenders and fly over for the try of the match. Converted by Marsland.

Leigh's numerical advantage began to tell, with fresh legs entering the fray, and the right centre dived over under the posts. The extras were added.

A penalty for Leigh put them in a position to hit a drop goal.

Mayfield attempted to hit back with a short kick off, which Leigh gathered, and with the referee signalling a minute remaining, raced over for a converted try.

Full time: Leigh Miners Rangers A 29 - 20 Rochdale Mayfield NWCML 

After the game, coach Duncan Simpson said: "This was a massive effort by all the 14 players and no-one can be picked out by me as a man of the match, as every man stepped up and produced a performance well above expected.

"The Leigh side were stunned at the commitment and team ethic, and this showed in their indiscipline and frustration in us being in the game to the very end.

"I just wish I had taken Curly Kershaw with us, he was at the club and would have made the difference on the day.

"With more emphasis on structured attack in the coming weeks, I feel we can cause a great impact on this division, and show the more fancied teams that Mayfield are back to their best.

"Leigh awarded our man of the match to Billy Percy, but every man deserves this accolade this week and I am very proud to be involved with such a great set of individuals.

"Training this week is at Hopwood Hall at 6-7 on Tuesday and Thursday, where we will again work on the club attack ethics to add results to the performances."