Rochdale Mayfield 30 - 22 Milford Marlins

Photo: Aidan Gleesson snr

Rochdale Mayfield 30-22 Milford Marlins

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Rochdale Mayfield entertained Leeds outfit Milford Marlins as the home side attempted to continue their fantastic run of league results and keep pressure on the league leaders.

After securing promotion to the Premier Division last weekend at Saddleworth, Matt Calland's men seemed subdued and their form suffered markedly.

These two clubs have produced some fantastic contests between them in recent years, but this game wasn't one of those and could best be described as scrappy.

The game opened with Mayfield making numerous errors that gifted a patient Milford side repeated possession and field position.

Mayfield held out though and seven minutes in, on their first foray into enemy territory, smart hands produced a half gap that Declan Sheridan exploited with a sharp dummy, to score a Sam Butterworth converted try.

Mayfield hadn't learnt their lesson and tried to go round the opposition defence too early time and time again without making the necessary hard yards. A dropped ball on Mayfield's 20 gave Milford the scrum and simple hands saw them round a static right hand side defence.

Mayfield seemed unwilling to do the hardwork needed to gain field position but defended well to hold out the visitors.

With five minutes of the half left, Mayfield had a scrum feed on their own 10 metre line, and Jo Qanuici broke from the base, powered through the defence and outpaced the cover for a great 90 metre solo try.

Four minutes later Mayfield finally finished a possession set and an offload to Matt Calland created the space for him to side step over from 20 metres out. Sam Butterworth again converted for a 18-4 half time lead that probably saw the points going the home sides way.

The golden ten minutes either side of half time continued for Mayfield as Qanuici drove into Milford territory and Todd O'Brien sprang out of dummy half and raced towards the line, only to be ankle-tapped 10 metres out.

Ever alert, O'Brien off loaded to the supporting Ben Butterworth who sped over for his, 'naked run' spoiling, first try of the season. Brother Sam again converted for a 24-10 lead.

Mayfield then reverted to error and penalty filled play, and the visitors took advantage to score the next three tries, fighting back to 24-22, but time was always against them and Mayfield finally strung some passes together as Matt Calland demanded the ball on his own 20 metre line, off loaded to Paul Brearley who took it on to half way and put Rob Kershaw away for a great try. Sam Butterworth completed an immaculate day with the boot, with his fifth conversion from five attempts, to seal a 30-22 victory.

Coaches Matt Calland and Sam Butterworth dragged their team through this game, and were best on the day. Sponsors awards went to the effort and endeavour shown by Declan Sheridan and Paul Brearley.

Mayfield take a week off from their title chase due to the Challenge Cup Final on Saturday, but resume away at much improved Millom (Cumbria) the week after.

The club presentation evening will be a black tie event on 4 October 2014, and supporters tickets are available from the club.

Mayfield Team: Declan Sheridan. Rob Kershaw, Matt Calland, Nick Hargreaves, Ieuan Higgs. Paul Brearley, Sam Butterworth. Matty Moores, Todd O'Brien, Gaz Ellison, Liam Whalley, Ben Butterworth, Jo Qanuici. Seta Tala, Aidan Gleeson, Niall Bradley, Mark Biggins.