Rochdale Mayfield 28 - 32 Lock Lane

Matt Calland racing 80 metres to score

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Premier division heavyweights Lock Lane, from Castleford, ended Rochdale Mayfield's unbeaten home record on Saturday.

The teams and the large crowd held an impeccably observed minutes silence in memory of Keighley Cougars' Danny Jones, who sadly died last weekend, and when the action started, both teams did his memory proud with sparkling attacking play and uncompromising defence.

The teams traded opening sets but then visitors struck first on 10 minutes when they took advantage of a suspect 'tip-on' in midfield for a simple try from midfield. 0-6 was soon 0-8 when Mayfield incurred the wrath of the officials, and matters worsened on 12 minutes as a seemingly asleep Mayfield conceded a further try from slick wide passing.

At 0-12 Mayfield had not yet visited the opposition 20 metre zone, but when they did they looked likely to score.

A smart kick forced a repeat set but the Lock Lane defence held firm.

Mayfield were fighting their way back into the game and on 30 minutes a strong half break by Eric Johnson seemed to force open the defence, but Lock Lane were first to the loose offload, and they raced away to score again for a 0-18 lead.

Mayfield needed to react and they did so with great aplomb as Paul Brearley and Sam Butterworth directed the play to the visitors try line for only the second time in the half. A patient set was finished with a neat Paul Brearley kick which forced a drop out under the posts. The tireless Ben Butterworth took the ball to centre field, 20 metres out and a crisp inside ball from Brearley found Matt Calland at pace and he powered through the fullback to score. Lewis Sheridan converted for 6-18 and Mayfield had a foothold back in the game.

Minutes later, with Lock Lane pressing the Mayfield line, Calland intercepted a wide pass and sprinted for the line. 80 metres of pitch were in front of the Mayfield player coach, but he rolled back the years to out pace the covering Lock Lane and Great Britain International fullback, for an amazing score that brought the cheering fans to their feet. Sheridan converted for 12-18 as half time loomed but Mayfield were not yet ready for the oranges as the Lock Lane fullback fumbled a Lewis Sheridan kick and the Mayfield number one scooped up the spoils to scoot in for a try he converted himself.

Eighteen each at half time, and the Rochdale side looked good for the points if they could keep playing the mistake free game they found in the last 10 minutes of the half.

The second half started much the same as the first, with the teams exchanging quality, if unspectacular sets.

Mayfield were now the better side but some baffling decisions kept them from troubling the scorer, until 10 minutes into the half when another great inside pass from Sam Butterworth found Calland on the charge and he drew the fullback to put Paul Brearley in under the sticks for 24-18.

On 55 minutes the reliable Liam Whalley crashed onto a Ryan Bradbury short pass to make a great break from half way. He looked set to find the whitewash until he was stopped just short by a despairing ankle tap.

Mayfield were patient and just two plays later Whalley made no mistake as he showed great footwork to force a way through and sprint 20 metres to the line. 28-18 and Mayfield were cruising until a loose pass was intercepted for a Lock Lane try.

28-24 was made to look more perilous when with 20 remaining Eric Johnson was sent to the sin bin for continuing a tit-for-tat-feud with the visitor's number 11. Lock Lane took full advantage of the numerical advantage and scored tries on either flank for a 28-32 lead. When Johnson returned Mayfield had 10 minutes to hit back, but resolute Lock Lane defence held firm despite swift probing from Declan Sheridan and strong charges from Sean Mulcahy, Gaz Ellison and Jo Qanuici.

In the end it was a case of what might have been, and the Rochdale side were disappointed to get nothing from the game, but in reality they were not far off, and a little more game control and a brighter start could have seen a different outcome.

The chance to make amends will come soon as they face Wigan St Patrick next Saturday at Mayfield.

Team: Lewis Sheridan. Rob Kershaw, Matt Calland, Ryan Bradbury, Seta Tala. Paul Brearley, Sam Butterworth. Gaz Ellison, Eric Johnson, Callum Marriott, Ben Butterworth, Liam Whalley, Jo Qanuici. Sean Mulcahy, Declan Sheridan, Jake Boardman, Matty Moores.