Rugby League: Hornets survived a resilient Mayfield comeback to win the Inaugural Stephen Gartland Trophy with a 18-12 victory

Hornets took the spoils in this the inaugural Steve Gartland Memorial Trophy, but it was a close-run thing and Mayfield certainly gave their illustrious opponents more than a scare or two.

Tries from Seta Tala, Callum Wood, Brandon Wood and newly appointed club captain Lee Mitchell saw Rochdale Hornets pick up the inaugural Stephen Gartland Trophy.

The only difference between the sides was that Hornets were fractionally sharper than Mayfield and they didn't give away penalties in critical areas at crucial times.

There were many at the game who commented after the whistle that the home side had been unlucky not to at the very least scrape a draw.

It was Hornets who would get on the scoresheet first when big man Seta Tala went over in the corner following a string of quick and effective passes that left the Mayfield defence confused.

Both sides continued to give their all throughout, but Hornets were applying the most pressure and their strong defence kept out several attacking plays by Mayfield.

 

 

Mayfield dominated for long periods, with old warhorse Mark Biggins having an absolute stormer of a game along with team mates Jimmy Conaughton, Callum Marriott and Aidan Gleeson.

Mayfield were unlucky not to draw level when a Zac Baker try was disallowed for a forward pass.

Hornets England academy representative Callum Wood scored the try of the game off of an inside pass and a side step later he was across the line to make it 8-0 with Tyler Whitaker adding the extras.

Mayfield who finished 8th in the NCL last season hit back shortly before half time when Zac Hartley followed up a brilliant kick through from Gleeson and beat the defence to the ball Lewis Sheridan converted, 6 - 10.

 

 

The weather took its toll on an already error ridden match, but it was Mayfield who struck first after half time when man of the match James Connaughton used his brute strength to give them the lead on 44 minutes.

This was a great game of rugby league and a credit to both sides.

Hornets then sealed the game just three minutes later when captain Lee Mitchell went over in the left-hand corner for the final points of the game after a progressive march up field by the young Hornets side.

Mayfield head coach Sam Butterworth said: “For our first run out that was a terrific performance.

“There is still a lot of work to be done in certain areas but the effort and commitment from the lads was unreal.

“This is a great bunch of lads and I felt a draw would have been a fair reflection of the game, and what they deserved.

“We are now looking forward to our next game, the Challenge Cup match away at Egremont on the 26 January.”

Chairman of Rochdale Hornets, Peter Rush said: “This was a very important game that should have been played at Spotland Stadium but down to a pitch problem it had to be transferred to Mayfield ground at very short notice.

“This game showed the strong links between Rochdale Hornets and Mayfield and it was sponsored by Rochdale Hornets Foundation who wanted to promote the strength of Rugby League in the town.”

Hornets Team:
Tyler Whitaker, Shaun Ainscough, Ben Morris, Seta Tala, Brandon Wood, Scott Moore, Elliot Jenkins, Jack Cottington, Dec Gregory, Liam Carberry, Ellis Gillam, Mike Weldon, Ryan Millington.
Interchanges: Callum Wood, Joe Ryan, Nathan Reidy, Stu Howarth, Dan Abram, Lee Mitchell, Jordan Case

Tries: Tala (8) C Wood (24) B Wood (49) Mitchell (52
Goals: Whitaker 1 / 2 Abram 0/2

Mayfield Team:
Zac Baker, Mark Biggins, Lewis Butterworth, James Connaughton, Cameron Corcoran, Wayne English, John Foy, Tom Fitsimmons, Aidan Gleeson, Nick Hargreaves, Zak Hartley
Interchanges: Ieuan Higgs, Shaun Hurley, Callum Marriot, Jack McConnachie, Simon Moore, Sean Mulcahy, Joe Muir, Munya Samanyanga.

Tries: Hartley (34) Connaughton (44) Goals: Sheridan 1/1 Hartley 1/1