Rugby League: Mayfield preview

Rochdale Mayfield

Mayfield face a real battle on Saturday (18 May) in their Kingstone Press NCL Premier Division clash with Cumbrian side Wath Brow. As well as losing more players to the pro ranks they also have three players, Jimmy Connaughton, Liam Whalley and Zac Baker on the BARLA Serbian tour.

This makes team selection for coaches Sam Butterworth and Steve Wood a real challenge.

Sam Butterworth said: "The BARLA tour has come at a bad time for us after Lewis Sheridan signed for Hornets.

“There's nothing we can do about it and we wish all our lads well, they all deserve their chances and everyone at Mayfield wish them the best.

“They are being rewarded for what they have done for the past couple of seasons not just the last few weeks so it's testament to the club and players alike that they have been handed these opportunities to play at higher levels.

“We take one game at a time and we can only do our best with the players available, Woody and myself named the squad on Thursday after training and we feel it’s a decent seventeen and we have done what we feel necessary to get the lads up for the job.

“Last week’s defeat to Siddal was the first time Mayfield have been outplayed really this season and the players and coaches know that.

“It will take a lot to turn it round, Wath Brow are on form at the moment and are always a tough team on their own ground, but Mayfield will travel with nothing to lose and hope they can get a good start to the game and build from there.”  

Fixtures 18 May 2019

NCL Premier Division - Wath Brow v Mayfield KO 2.30pm