Mayfield at Egremont Challenge Cup

Matt Calland and Sam Butterworth, Mayfield

Rochdale Mayfield take to the road again on Saturday with an unenviable trip deep into Cumbria to face fellow NCL premier division side Egremont Rangers in the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup.

Mayfield progressed to this stage after a hard fought victory at Widnes West Bank a fortnight ago while Egremont had a somewhat easier outing at home against Welsh Champions Blue Bulls running in 60 points in the process.

There was a collective sigh at the Mayfield Sports Centre last week as the draw was made pairing them with Egremont but that was only because of the travelling.

As Sam Butterworth said: "We feared no-one in the draw but I honestly believe that we were the team that nobody wanted to be drawn against, home or away.

"We will make the trip to Egremont full of confidence and with a fully fit squad, a luxury we didn't have to many times last season." 

In the two league games last season both sides won their home games but Mayfield were left kicking themselves after going down 26 - 10 in the first game of last season, a game they should really have won.

Egremont struggled throughout the season only managing to retain their premier division status on points difference after beating fellow strugglers East Leeds in the final game.

This, however, is a new season and the slate is wiped clean. Calland and Butterworth know that form and past results count for little in this, the the most prestigious RL cup competition in the world. They go into this game with no misconceptions knowing that any errors will be pounced upon by their opponents and that they need to be on top form to win this game and progress to the third round.

They will be going with their strongest 17, a task which in itself will cause them some headaches with a strong squad to choose from.

There were some good performances in the last round in Widnes with youngsters Callum Ogden, Jack Rush, Ste Paul and Dec Sheridan all standing out but with at least five more players available for selection nobody is assured of a place.

The game kicks off at 2.00pm with the coach leaving from Mayfield at 10.00am.