Rugby League: Rochdale Mayfield 36 – 16 Underbank

Mayfield secured safety in the highest division of amateur rugby league on Saturday, with a victory over Huddersfield rivals Underbank.

An inconsistent season saw Mayfield needing a victory in this, their last game of the season, and they got the valuable two points with style, scoring six tries to celebrate Mayfield’s 60th anniversary. Mayfield legend Pete Strandring played in that first game in 1958, also against Underbank, and was part of a huge crowd for the special day.

It was the visitors that struck first though, when Sam Butterworth failed to find touch from a penalty and Underbank used simple passing to find space on the left side of the home defence – a feat that was all too easily repeated a number of times during the game.

Mayfield hit back, showing good handling skills in the atrocious weather to give Lewis Butterworth space on the left to drive over the try line. Too wide for Lewis Sheridan to convert.

At 4-6 Mayfield settled into the game and 20 minutes in, showing control of the ball not often seen this season, worked their way upfield to gain field position and Jimmy Connaughton smashed through ton the line for a try. Converted by Lewis Sheridan.

 

 

Mayfield continued to push hard with control of the ball and quick play the balls, and the pressure started to tell on Underbank, as they a conceded penalty in kicking range. Lewis Sheridan converted.

Forwards Callum Marriott and Paul Brearley led the team in attack and defence but Underbank are a tough team to beat though, as their fifth place in the league shows, and they hit back, again through right winger Sam Ansell, who was unstoppable all afternoo,n and scored the second of his three tries to level the scores.

Mayfield stuck to the task though and earned field position with controlled play.

Paul Brearley took a good ball on the line on twist over in the tackle for a try under the posts. Converted by Lewis Sheridan.

With the half time whistle looming, Lewis Sheridan extended Mayfield's lead with another penalty.

Mayfield got the perfect restart to the game as in their first possession Lewis Sheridan showed, after his long injury layoff, his turn of pace is finally returning, as he sped through the defence for a try he converted himself.

Having his best game of the season, Lewis Sheridan again used his pace to get his second try.

That sealed the game for Mayfield, but they then showed their faults of too many unforced errors and gifts to the opposition in a 15-minute period dominated by the visitors.

Penalties and dropped balls came thick and fast and only scramble defence from Mayfield kept the visitors out, until the right winger was again given space to dive over for his hat-trick try.

Mayfield kept the crowd on tenterhooks to the end, with both sides playing tough and uncompromising rugby league.

Mayfield finally completed a mistake free set, after defending four on their own line, and the field position allowed Liam Whalley the space to power over the line for a try in the right corner. Brilliantly converted off the touchline by Lewis Sheridan.

Scores from around the league ensured Mayfield survived the relegation scare.

Mayfield Team: Wayne English, Lewis Butterworth, Matt Calland, Ieuan Higgs, Declan Sheridan, Sam Butterworth, Paul Brearley, Jimmy Connaughton, Callum Ogden, Callum Marriott, Liam Whalley, Zac Baker, Jack McConnaghie, Aidan Gleeson, Cole Connolly, Mark Biggins