Rugby League: Mayfield 24 – 24 Siddal

Paul Brearley - Mayfield 24 – 24 Siddal

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Right from the start both sides threw all they had at each other, Siddal started like the league leaders they are, battering the Mayfield line with drive after drive with the two props looking especially dangerous.

Mayfield held out for seven minutes before the powerful Siddal centre stormed over for an unconverted score.

The large Mayfield crowd feared the worst but it didn’t take long before Dec Sheridan produced a piece of individual brilliance on the last tackle to go over for a try. The conversion from was Hough was equal to the try.

Mayfield pressured the Siddal line looking for a chance to take the lead but their defence was outstanding and repelled attack after attack.

James Connaughton, Aidan Gleeson and Sean Watkins ran hard in hot conditions as they tried to cross they whitewash and Mayfield were unlucky as they lost the ball over the line.

A penalty allowed Siddal possession and they forced their way up field with lightening quick play, catching Mayfield on the back foot, to score under the sticks. The conversion a formality.

Half time: Mayfield 6 – 10 Siddal

From the restart, Mayfield moved the ball quickly and tried all they knew but the Siddal line was impenetrable.

When in possession, the speed of the Siddal play was something to see and they caught Mayfield out again as they extended their lead with another score. The conversion was missed.

Sam Butterworth, who at nearly fifty years of age, produced a bit of magic to put Lewis Sheridan over to narrow the gap. Zac Hartley slotted the conversion over to cut the Siddal's lead to two points.

Butterworth was again instrumental creating space with a neat little kick through that allowed Jack Sampson the opportunity to give Mayfield the lead for the first time with the try of the game. Hartley converted.

Siddal worked up field after being given possession and, after a brilliant defensive stint from Connaughton, Lewis Sheridan and Zac Baker, found a chink in the wall which they exploited on the last tackle to regain the lead.

Mayfield fought back but when an inexplicable refereeing decision was questioned too strenuously, Jack Sampson found himself in the sin bin.

Siddal immediately upped the pace of an already breathtaking game and found a gap in the Mayfield defence to increase their lead.

With a couple of minutes to play the Siddal full back, who had been superb all game, had a rush of blood as he cleared a loose ball. Andy Taylor produced a brilliant catch and sprinted 30 metres to cross in the corner making the score 22 – 24.

To get anything from this game Zac Hartley had to convert from the touchline under enormous pressure. Cool as a cucumber he stepped up and slotted the ball right between the posts, 24 – 24 with a couple of minutes to play.

Mayfield pushed and pushed again as they tried to snatch the game, Hough was unsuccessful with two drop goal attempts.

Siddal put in a last gasp effort, and as they broke downfield the Mayfield fans hearts were in their mouths as the powerful centre looked like he was going to go all the way. Hough made the tackle of the game as he coolly stripped the ball.

Mayfield again headed upfield and this time Zac Hartley was unlucky as his drop goal attempt was charged down.

The draw was a fair result.