Leigh Miners 26 – 14 Mayfield

Eric Johnson with ball, outstanding again - Leigh Miners 26 – 14 Mayfield

Mayfield couldn’t have wished for a better start to this game than the one they got but the strong attacking pace and formidable defensive line of Leigh Miners proved too much in the end.

Mayfield opened the scoring when Callum Marriott charged in to re-gather the ball from Sam Butterworth's kick off. He made yards down field before finding Lewis Sheridan in support. Sheridan crossed the line for what must be Mayfield’s quickest ever score.

The lead didn’t last long though as the classy Miners side scored a converted try within three minutes.

It was end-to-end for the next twenty minutes with Mayfield matching their opponents blow-for-blow.

Great defence from Dave Woods, Joe Quanici and Sean Mulcahy kept the Miners forwards at bay.

Mayfield were unlucky not to add to their tally with breaks from the Impressive Eric Johnson and Lewis Sheridan just falling short.

Twenty five minutes in and Miners capitalised on a missed tackle as their winger squeezed in in the corner to extend his sides lead,

Miners maintained the intensity and Mayfield were caught by the pace as quick play was rewarded with another score.

Both sides were moving the ball well and there wasn’t much between them but Leigh just had the edge and made the most of any chance that came their way.

Apart from a couple of lapses, the Mayfield defence was good as they repelled Miners attacks time and again; Ben Butterworth led the way and he was ably backed by Liam Whalley and Callum Marriott.

Half time: Leigh Miners 16 – 4 Mayfield

The second half saw Mayfield rally as Whalley managed to squeeze in at the corner.

Dave Wood broke away and fed a well timed pass to the supporting Lewis Sheridan for a Sam Butterworth converted try to rbing Mayfield within two points of Miners.

Sean Mulcahy kept Mayfield in the running as he pulled off a brilliant try saving tackle on his own line. He then made another tackle on a rampaging Miners prop, dislodging the ball in the process. This gave Mayfield possession and they camped in the Leigh twenty but were unable to break the formidable defensive line.

After a sustained period of pressure Miners were awarded a penalty which they made the most of, making their way into the Mayfield half from where they managed to further their lead with a converted try.

This seemed to break the Mayfield spirit as they allowed their discipline to slip and started to give away needless penalties, two of which Leigh converted to complete the scoring.

A good all round performance from Mayfield and showed that they are capable of competing at this level.

Eric Johnson was named Man-of-the-Match by the Leigh coaching staff, the third week in a row that Johnson has picked up the award. He has had an outstanding start to this season and is revelling in his role.

The Sheridan brothers were again outstanding as were Seta Tala, Sean Mulcahy and Joe Quanici.