Challenge Cup: Widnes West Bank 20 - 44 Rochdale Mayfield

Widnes West Bank 20 - 44 Rochdale Mayfield

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Mayfield's first game of the 2016 season was certainly an important one, as they booked a place in the Ladbrookes Challenge Cup second round at the expense of Widnes West Bank.

The large travelling support knew that North West Men's League Champions, Widnes West Bank, would need to knock Mayfield off their game to live with the Kingstone Press Cider National Conference League side, and West Bank knew it as well, as from the off they made life uncomfortable with off the ball incidents and foul play.

In fact, it seemed the only people not expecting this were the officials who allowed a rough house game that was a frustrating spectacle.

West Bank scored first but Mayfield cleared their half well then played wide for Jack Sampson to level the score.

West Bank were struggling to cope with Mayfield's wide play and the game descended into the inevitable scrap as mêlée after mêlée broke out. With lack of control from the officials, Mayfield took matters into their own hands and when Seta Tala was clearly kicked in head when being tackled, he was sent off for seeking retribution.

Mayfield faced 60 minutes with 12 men but made light of it when Liam Whalley sped on at the corner with their next possession.

Aidan Gleeson used great footwork to waltz in under the posts. Gleeson also converted.

West Bank hit back when a deflected kick saw them regather to score.

Widnes West Bank 10 - 14 Rochdale Mayfield

Mayfield coach Matt Calland reminded the players that discipline and a cool head would win the game.

Sam Butterworth had the latter in abundance and took the game by the scruff if the neck in the second half.

Lewis Sheridan followed up a great Declan Sheridan break to score a converted try.

Sam Butterworth broke through and stepped the hapless fullback to increase Mayfield's lead.

Butterworth then followed up a Liam Whalley and Simon Moore break to scythe through, again untouched to put the game beyond any doubt.

Offside, knock on and even a blatant trip went unpunished and as Widnes pulled one back with a try out wide.

Mayfield's last try came as Sean Mulcahy fought hard for a quick play the ball and Declan Sheridan again took advantage to score from half way.

West Bank got the last try for a 20-44 final score.

Despite obvious rustiness from Mayfield and frustrating officiating, the Rochdale team showed some glimpses of form, including a man-of-the-match performance from debutant hooker Callum Ogden, and now look forward to the second round draw.

Mayfield Team: Lewis Sheridan. Jack Sampson, Liam Whalley, Rob Kershaw, Komai Namulatua. Paul Brearley, Sam Butterworth. Simon Moore, Callum Ogden, Aidan Gleeson, Ste Paul, Sean Mulcahy, Lee Atkinson. Seta Tala, Matty Moores, Declan Sheridan, Jack Rush.