Mayfield Preview

Photo: Paul Scanlon

Billy Buckley, Eliot Scanlon- Wells, Corey Watts, Jordan Strand, Jack Jackson and Kenny Rowlands

After a well-earned Bank Holiday break last week Mayfield are back in league action this Saturday when they entertain Oulton Raiders in the Kingstone Press NCL Premier Division at the Mayfield Sports Centre.

Oulton piped Mayfield to the Division one title last season winning by just one point, with the sides both winning their respective home fixtures.

Oulton have not had the impact they were hoping for in the premier division so far but they are not a team to be taken lightly.

Mayfield coaches Matt Calland and Sam Butterworth said: "We are all too aware of what happens if a side doesn’t take the opposition seriously enough after going down at home to Lock Lane a couple of weeks ago. We are determined there will be no repeat instead hoping their side has a repeat of their last outing, a thrilling 49 – 24 victory over highly rated St Pats".

The break will have done Mayfield a world of good giving their players who were carrying injuries a week to recover. The main one being Eric Johnson who was magnificent in the first three games before picking up a serious shoulder injury.

Also coming back to match fitness will be Aidan Gleeson who is recovering from a broken hand. There should be a full squad to select from apart from the holidaying Dec Sheridan. This will make the coaches job an unenviable one but that’s the position all coaches want to be in at this stage of the season.

Dave Harmers NWML side are also in action at home as they entertain Leigh Miners in a division 2 clash.

Harmers side played a friendly last week against local rivals Littleborough it was a useful game for both sides as they tried out new players and game play strategies.

The Mayfield coach included six of Chris Hiltons U’16 side who had all expressed a wish to play open age rugby and they did themselves and Chris proud.

Saturday’s game will be a different proposition, Miners are a tough quality side so the coaching team will delay naming their side.

Fixtures 30.05.15
NCL Prem Mayfield v Oulton. ko. 2.30
NWML Div2 Mayfield v Leigh Miners ko 2.30