Mayfield Preview

Jake Johnson hoping to start the revival for the Mayfield NWML side

1 More Image(s) In Gallery

Mayfield make the journey to Leeds on Saturday as they face Milford Marlins.

Milford have had a poor start to the season by their standards with five wins from their ten league starts and are sitting in fifth place in the division.

They come into this game on the back off three losses so will be looking for a positive result against Mayfield.

Mayfield have not had the best of times at Milford over the seasons, falling foul on more than one occasion. It is always a physical contest between two competitive sides and no different is expected in this game.

Last week's victory was a somewhat below performance for Mayfield but that could be down to the dreadful conditions; coaches Matt Calland and Sam Butterworth will be looking for an improvement.

Defence last week was a definite plus after the last couple of games, with Shaw Cross being restricted to just one try. The forwards were in control of their opposite numbers and the backs made the most of freedom around the field, but the slippery ball put paid to any open rugby. This week should be different on Milford's artificial pitch. The surface should favour Mayfield's style with a mobile pack and tricky half backs.

Mayfield's NWML side are also on the road as they make the journey into the rugby league heartland, Wigan. Their opponents there will be St Pat's. Pat's are only a couple of places above Mayfield in the division so a cracker of a game is in prospect.

Coaches Dunc Simpson and Anthony Greaves have a great pool of talent at their disposal but it is understood the reluctance of some of the players to train is frustrating them.

A club spokesman said: "On the day this team is equal to anyone in the division but the only way to compete is to train together. The coaches are quietly confident that if the lads turn out then they can cause a shock in Wigan.

"Last week this team played St Anne's, a team which contained at least half a dozen NCL players and yet they still held their own, showing that they are more than capable of defeating most teams at their level."

Coach Dunc Simpson said: "We have signed some lads from Littleborough and they have been a massive help to us this season and I would like to personally thank them."

Fixtures: 31 May 2014
NCL Div 1 Milford v Mayfield - Kick off 2.30pm
NWML Div 2 St Pat's v Mayfield - Kick off 2.30pm