Mayfield face Leigh Miners in the NCL premier division playoff final eliminator

Photo: Aidy Gleeson

Paul Brearley, Mayfield

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After the relative comfort of two home ties Mayfield now face the daunting task of a trip to Leigh Miners in the NCL premier division play-off final eliminator.

This is a massive game for Matt Calland and Sam Butterworth's side, Mayfield have never gone beyond this stage of the competition and to do so will be a measure of how far the team and indeed the club has come.

Calland will be hoping he has a near full strength squad to select from with only Paul Brearley a worry after picking up a knock in last week’s victory over Wath Brow.

Brearley will be an important part of the side if available as his link with Sam Butterworth has been a revelation this season.

Mayfield had their chances to win last time they were at Miners, earlier in the season, going down 26 - 12 with tries from Lewis Sheridan (2) and Liam Whalley.

On Saturday they are out to better that result and they know that on their day if they play to their potential they are capable of beating anybody. The Mayfield forwards need to dominate and give the backs a chance to run at the line on Miners' big pitch.

A classic is on the cards but Calland and his players won’t care as long as they can come away with the prize and move on to a grand final showdown with Siddal.

The most pleasing aspect of the play-offs so far for Mayfield has been the massive improvement in the defence, everyone knows Mayfield can score tries but they also know that they have been guilty of letting in too many points. With only four tries conceded in the last three games it looks like the players have got their act together at the right time.

Miners have the division’s joint top try scorer in Brad Hargreaves, with 23 tries, whilst Mayfield have the top point’s scorer, Sam Butterworth, with 154 points, plus the formidable Sheridan brothers, Lewis and Dec who are in third and fourth spot on the try scoring list.Whatever else happens at Leigh there will be points scored. 

Fixture 30 October
NCL Final Eliminator
Leigh Miners v Mayfield
Kick Off 2.30pm

A supporters coach leaves the club at 12.00 at a cost of £5 per person, not £10 as previously stated, on a first come first served basis.