Rugby League: Rochdale Mayfield 26 - 12 Leigh Miners

Lewis Sheridan: Rochdale Mayfield 26-12 Leigh Miners

1 More Image(s) In Gallery

Mayfield bagged two valuable league points against a bottom of the league but resurgent Leigh Miners team, in a controlled, if somewhat low-key victory at Mayfield Sports Centre on Saturday.

Mayfield started brightly, with halves Zak Hartley and Zac Baker making space on the right in their own half on two occasions.

Both saw Sean Watkins in the clear but simple passes where put down by his support and the chances went begging.

Leigh Miners have had a tough time of things so far this season, but this game saw the return of their talisman half back pairing and the visitors took confidence from their presence and the missed chances to keep in the fight in the first 20 minutes.

Miners had a own chance to score first when making room in the left corner but the Mayfield cover of Lewis Sheridan and Jack Sampson just managed to bungle the winger into touch.

Mayfield took the warning and broke up field with Declan Sheridan and Aidy Gleeson ripping holes in the defence.

As they pounded at the try line Callum Marriott broke through and twisted over to score the opening try. Lewis Sheridan converted.

From the restart Mayfield again found space on the left and this time Wayne English made no mistake, sprinting into the clear and jinking inside and out to mesmerise the defence and score a fine try. Sheridan converted.

It looked like the half would end that way, but Miners took advantage of a lapse in Mayfield's defensive concentration on the right, touching down a kick to the corner.

Half time: Rochdale Mayfield 12 - 6 Leigh Miners

From the restart Leigh were trying to slow the play and Mayfield were pushing hard with Liam Whalley and Sean Watkins strong on the edges of the ruck.

As Leigh struggled to keep pace, they persistently incurred the wrath of the officials.

Lewis Sheridan took advantage of one such indiscretion to take two points and increase the Mayfield lead to two scores.

Jack Sampson was working hard and chased a Paul Brearley kick deep in to the left corner. His effort was rewarded with indecision from the Leigh catcher and he snatched the ball for a Mayfield try. Sheridan converted superbly from the touchline.

Leigh never gave up and were rewarded with a smart converted try, created by fast left to right hands. 

Mayfield saw out the game and finished on a high when neat passing to the right in their own half saw Liam Whalley break clear. As he took the ball into the Leigh half he found the supporting Wayne English inside and he kicked on past the cover to touch down under the posts for his second try. Sheridan converted his fifth goal.

Mayfield man-of-the match was Jimmy Connaughton.

Mayfield A team tightened their grip on the top spot of the North West Men’s League Division Two with a sterling performance at home against Wigan St Judes.

Cole Connolly, celebrating a recent call up to the England Youth team, led the team superbly from half back and prop forward man-of-the-match, Simon Moore worked hard in a 50-12 victory that saw great tries and strong defence.

Both Mayfield teams have a week off next weekend and return on the 22 July with the NCL team visiting Wigan St Pats and the A team away at Widnes Tigers.