Normanton Knights 22 - 28 Rochdale Mayfield

Photo: Aidy Gleeson Snr

The Mayfield fans celebrate another Butterworth break

Rochdale Mayfield maintained their juggernaut roll to promotion against all odds on Saturday as they overcame a spirited Normanton challenge that was greatly assisted by baffling officiating, that left 10 men against 13.

The tone was set in the first minute as Mayfield over-powered Normanton's forwards and the backs created space for a Declan Sheridan break that was stopped only by a sickening stiff arm from the Normanton defender.

Sheridan's team mates were rightly incensed and, after a brief scuffle, all at the ground expected to see a red card for the Normanton man - the card was red but unbelievably, it was Mayfield's Matty Moores.

A man down after one minute and Mayfield were up against it, and the official's seemed rattled by the mistake as they lost all control of the game and it sank deeper and deeper into farce.

Sin bins for both sides followed regularly.

Mayfield scored two tries through the impressive second row pairing of Ryan Bradbury and Callum Marriott, both converted by the again impeccable Sam Butterworth.

Mayfield outplayed the opposition and had further tries inexplicably ruled out.

Marriott was forced from the field by a blatant knee to the back scoring his try - an action again unpunished by the officials. 

Twelve points each at half-time but the Mayfield players were determined the injustice would not decide the final result and made light of the numerical disadvantage to play the better rugby.

That task was made even harder five minutes into the second half as another scuffle ensued after the Normanton winger took exception to being well tackled by Liam Whalley, and again the officials found a reason to show a Mayfield player, Aidan Gleeson, the red card.

Two men down was still not enough to stop Mayfield and, when allowed to play rugby, they made quality yards and breaks to score tries through Ryan Bradbury, Sam Butterworth and Jo Qanuici to take a 28-12 lead into the last 20 minutes.

With Normanton pressing, Paul Brearley intercepted and sent Matt Calland away for what would have been a game sealing try, but again the officials found a reason to call him back, and then show him the red card for reacting to an after the whistle attack by two Normanton chasers.

The ten men of Mayfield were still more than a match for the Normanton 13 as, to a man, they refused give up and kept the home side at bay.

Ten minutes extra time were played but time and time again Mayfield repelled the attackers, only conceding on the final whistle - a sound that saw jubilant scenes in the Mayfield ranks.

The term 'legend' is often overused, but the players in the Mayfield ranks, all played part in what will go down in history as one the club's most legendary performances, and one of the most legendary celebrations at the club that night.

Team: Seta Tala, Declan Sheridan, Matt Calland, Liam Whalley, Rob Kershaw. Paul Brearley, Sam Butterworth. Matty Moores, Todd O'Brien, Jo Qanuici, Callum Marriott, Ryan Bradbury, Ben Butterworh. Simon Moore, Aidan Gleeson, Komai Naulatua, Wayne Corcoran.