Siddal 26 - 25 Rochdale Mayfield

Sam Butterworth: Siddal 26-25 Rochdale Mayfield

1 More Image(s) In Gallery

Mayfield travelled to top of the league Siddal with a young side containing seven teenagers, who did the club and themselves proud. They more than matched the hosts and only narrowly missed out on the two competition points as hearts were broken by a last kick of the game penalty.

The first set showed Mayfield meant business, as they powered up the field with some quick play-the-balls, but a poor kick gifted Siddal possession. Mayfield defended stoutly but conceded two penalties trying to control the huge pack. Their line defence held strong though, as it did in the next set when the officials missed a forward pass and again awarded a penalty to the hosts.

With 19 minutes gone, the pressure from the opposition and officials told as, attempting to clear his line, Paul Brearley threw a loose, backwards pass that the referee deemed a knock on, and Siddal scored off the free play. Mayfield were 6-0 down but immediately hit back as they chased down the restart and smashed the attackers to force a knock on.

Lewis Sheridan took the ball from the scrum and easily rounded the defence to score a Zak Baker converted try. Mayfield’s forwards were strong in the tackle after making it level, as Seta Tala, Chris Hough, Sean Watkins and debutant James Shaw met their opponents head on and on 31 minutes, Mayfield finally got a penalty for holding down.

From 40 metres out playmakers Baker, Brearley and Sam Butterworth worked the ball right then left as the latter found Rhys Carruth on a great line. He sped through to score but it was just too wide for Baker to convert. That still put Mayfield ahead, but the defence again had to work hard.

With half time looming Mayfield defended the line well but a poor last play option gave Siddal a scrum on half way, meaning more defending was on the cards. However, Matty Ashton intercepted and raced 60 metres for a try – which was well deserved for his effort all afternoon – before Baker converted for a half time Mayfield lead.

Mayfield were the better side for much of the first half, and had weathered the storm of some confusing officiating concerning the play-the-balls in particular. When given the chance, the visitors’ exciting and open play was simply too much for the older and heavier members of the Siddal pack.

The second half started with Mayfield's backs taking centre stage. Lee Registe and Munya Samanyanga took the lead from Carruth and forced penalties from quick play-the-balls that took Mayfield into the opposition’s 30 metre zone. Loose passes went right to left but Carruth scooped one up and slid a deft kick through, allowing him to regather and score. Baker converted.

Siddal tried to fight back and after Lewis Sheridan had held an attacker up in goal, Samanyanga took a tricky high cross field kick and forced a penalty with his enthusiasm to play the ball quickly. Shaw and Tala took the hint and drove hard at the line to force a penalty that Baker converted.

With just 15 minutes remaining Mayfield needed composure, but Tala made an error from the kick off and the Siddal acting half back sneaked over for a converted try, reducing the deficit.

Carruth recovered the restart and four plays later Butterworth slotted a drop goal for 12-25 with just ten minutes remaining.

Mayfield again failed to exit when unnecessary offloads on their own line saw Siddal get an interception try from 20 metres out.

Butterworth rolled back the years to drive into the heart of the Siddal’s forwards and pop out the other side. He sped to the line and on being caught by the full-back, threw a pass over his head towards his support. Ashton caught it and dived over, the Siddal players collapsed in disappointment, but the until now anonymous touch judge, claimed it was forward and the score was ruled out.

That loss of six points soon became 12 when Brearley dropped the ball over the Siddal line and, even more damagingly, Siddal scored to move just a point behind with only three minutes remaining. This 'try' was the hardest for Mayfield to take as it came from a scrum to the hosts, following a blatant knock-on which was missed by the officials.

With only a minute to go, everyone at the ground held their breath with the score at 24-25. The Mayfield restart kick sailed out on the full and with time up, Siddal took the penalty and duly converted from half way to snatch the points at 26-25.

The Siddal pack have steamrollered their opposition all season but Mayfield's depleted pack stood tall. Watkins and Tala frequently drove forward and tackled with bravery, whilst Callum Marriott was strong and willing in the tackle and attack – probably making him the best forward on the field.

The Mayfield backs took the platform and attacked at pace and with purpose. Apart from the last few minutes of madness, Mayfield performed well against strong opposition in a great game of rugby league.

Mayfield Team: Lewis Sheridan, Lee Registe, Rhys Carruth, Matty Ashton, Munya Samanyanga, Zak Baker, Sam Butterworth, Seta Tala, Chris Hough, James Shaw, Sean Watkins, Callum Marriott, Paul Brearley, Jack Rush, Declan Sheridan, Nick Hargreaves.