Rugby League: Mayfield preview

Mayfield will be going all out for a win on Saturday against fellow strugglers Kells, in the Kingstone Press Premier division clash at the Mayfield Sports Centre.

Kells started the season with a bang, beating champions Hunslet in their opening fixture but have failed to live up to that early potential, not having won since.

Mayfield have had a similar start, but secured a draw as well to put them one point above Saturdays opposition.

These games are very important to the teams near the bottom, a win against opposition who are in a similar position in the league can mean a big difference when it comes to the final league placings.

Its early days yet but Mayfield know all too well how uncomfortable it can be in the last few weeks of the season if they don’t take chances early on.

Having lost players this season who have turned professional, Mayfield seemed to have turned a corner with old players returning, and new signings being attracted.

Numbers at training have been better this last fortnight than they have been for a couple of years so there is a lot of competition for places and that is having a positive effect on players.

Although last week’s defeat to Thatto was a blow to the team and coaches alike, there were positives to be taken from the performance with a more aggressive defensive showing which is something they have been lacking.

If the side can maintain that aggression and couple it with better structure and more intelligent rugby, Mayfield have it in them to take the two points on offer and begin the climb up the division.

One downside from the Thatto game was the injury to Dec Sheridan, who took a bad knock to the shoulder, and could be out for several weeks.

The NWML side are on the road on Saturday afternoon, with a short trip down the East Lancs to Haydock in the NWML prem division.

Like the first team, this a bottom half of the table clash but boosted by new players and the inclusion of the U18s, Craig White's side are on the up.

Its early days yet, but there were some bright spots in last week’s defeat.

Hayden Lewis and Keiran Harmer did well, as did man of the match Rob Kershaw, so for the first time this season the side make the trip with a strong team and with the thought that there is the chance of bringing back the two points.  

Fixtures 1 June 2019

NCL Premier Division: Mayfield v Kells KO 2.30pm

NWML Premier Division:  Haydock v Mayfield KO 2.30pm