Rugby League: Wath Brow 28 - 12 Mayfield

Rochdale Mayfield

Mayfield lost to Wath Brow in a crucial relegation battle in Cumbria on Saturday.

Four points down after two minutes and eight points after half an hour, Mayfield got off to a bad start.

Captain Paul Brearley did his best and managed to fire up the team for periods and they looked good as they moved the ball around.

Brearley, riled by some of the referee's decisions, upped the pace of the game and ran the ball in with power and determination; he linked with Sam Butterworth and received the ball back to give himself the chance to narrow the deficit. Baker added the two.

Mayfield were genuine contenders at this stage and were unlucky not to go in front as they pressured the Brow line. With minutes to go until half time Brow forged further in front with a score against the run of play.

The start of the second half saw both teams swapping penalties and Brow were the first to consolidate the ground gained into points.

They followed this with another quick try which effectively killed off the lingering hopes of a Mayfield victory.

Mayfield struggled against the odds and a last tackle play again saw Sam BUtterworth and Brearley combine for a superb try for the latter.

Mayfield again fought bravely and showed lots of heart and spirit but could not break the Brow defence again despite the constant probing from Brearley and Connolly.

A lapse in the Mayfield defence allowed Brow in for the final converted try of the game.

Brearley was named man-of-the-match by the Wath Brow coaches. 

This defeat drops Mayfield a position in the league joint third from bottom with their next opponents Normanton.