Rugby league: Mayfield 36 - 22 Wigan St Patricks

Photo: Aidy Gleeson Snr

Reece Hamlett powering through for his try

This was a game that lived up to its billing; conditions were good, the sun was out and the rugby in this Challenge Cup first round game was top drawer.

There was a bit of everything in the game with Mayfield storming to an 18 - 0 lead with less than 20 minutes on the clock. Mayfield's first score came from Dec Sheridan after some great interplay between Liam Whalley and Jack McConnachie, Zac Hartley converted, 6 - 0.

Ieuan Higgs was next to cross the whitewash after another good piece of play from Cole Connolly and Reece Hamlett, again the conversion came from Hartley. Mayfield were looking unstoppable at this point, Sheridan, Liam Donnelly and Connolly controlled the middle and Hartley capitalised as he helped himself to the next try and then added the two points, 18 - 0.

Sam Butterworth and Steve Wood must have been well satisfied with the side in their first outing of the year. Small things can change a game though and St Pats always looked like a side that, given the chance, would play rugby. That chance came after a mix up at the restart saw Pats regather possession, they immediately clicked into gear and within minutes had cut the deficit. That was Mayfields first mistake and Pats made them pay. 18 - 6.

The home side had a bit of a wobble, losing a bit of shape and allowing a bit of indiscipline to creep in. Like all good sides the visitors sensed this and attacked. They grabbed another converted score and looked threatening at 18 - 12.

It was end to end stuff now, a proper tie with two good sides playing good rugby. The Mayfield fans feared the worst after Connolly was given ten minutes in the bin for slowing the play the ball down whilst trying to get his team on side. Hartley's kicking game got his side out of trouble on more than one occasion as they were reduced to twelve men, forcing the opposition back to their own twenty. Mayfield built from one of these kicks and Whalley again put his body on the line to carve a try out of nothing for the impressive Higgs which Hartley converted, 24 - 12.

The second half begun with Mayfield again dictating the game. The Pats defence were immense as they repelled the Mayfield attack time and again. Once more a simple error gave away possession and Pats responded well having a strong ten minute spell themselves. Some great defence from Higgs, Si Moore, Whalley and Donnelly was all that kept them out. Both sides were tiring now after a herculean effort and penalties crept in for needless offences. After one of these infringements from Pats, Whalley showed his power and pace as he crashed through the defence out wide to widen the gap, Hartley missed his first of the day, 28 - 12.

Within minutes Pats had again shown their class as they stormed in for two scores to narrow the difference, 28 - 22.

Only one try in it and the large crowd were feeling the pressure as they willed the boys towards victory. With five minutes added for stoppages the crowd were on their feet. Pats once again gave away a soft penalty and Connolly, cool as you like, slotted it over to add two points to Mayfield's tally, 30 - 22.

There was not much time left, but there was enough for Hamlett to cap an impressive first outing with a try that sealed the game, Hartley added the two points, to make the final score 36 - 22.

Both teams were soundly applauded as they left the arena for what had been a fantastic effort in the first game back. For Mayfield, Si Moore, Nick Hargreaves Liam Whalley and Dec Sheridan were outstanding.

The match day sponsors Murphys NW Specialist Transport selected Liam Donnelly as their man of the match.