Rochdale Mayfield U18s 28 - 18 Heysham

Rochdale Mayfield U18s started their league campaign at home on Sunday against Heysham.

Under the new coaching team of Andy Battersby and Damien Corcoran, the new team has merged the old Mayfield and Cobras U16 teams.

The lack of friendlies was a concern but the team started well with a strong defensive effort against a very strong Heysham side with big runners all across their team.

Mayfield were not controlling the floor as well as they could though and allowing quick play the balls, this allowed Heysham to register the first score.

A flare up following a penalty saw a player from each team dismissed after ten minutes and this seemed to settle the frantic pace somewhat.

Mayfield started to press hard, this allowed them to work their way up the field and Poole scored out wide.

This was quickly followed by a try on the opposite flank as Dube made good ground to touch down.

Mayfield indiscipline was costing field position though and Heysham kept threatening before Poole again took a neat ball from Sheridan to go in again.

Heysham came back though and scored to level the scores just after half time.

Injuries were starting to take a toll on Mayfield here and players were being used in positions they were unaccustomed to but the effort was always there and when Daley Schofield powered through the line to touch down, it did seem like the Mayfield were going to run away with it. Gartland added the two and daylight between the two teams started to appear.

Dube and Wetshokanda chased a kick through and Dube managed to touch it down before Gartland took a mellors pass to touch down and add the two again.

It looked like game over but McAvoy was forced into some excellent cover tackling and Heysham scored a late try as Mayfield were slow to react to a loose ball.

Man-of-the-Match awards went to McAvoy, Sheridan and Schofield.

Next game is an away trip to Bank Quay on Sunday. Training is Tuesday at 7.00pm at Mayfield.