Rugby league: Mayfield preview

Ieuan Higgs (pictured) and Cole Connolly are forming a promising partnership

Sam Butterworth and Steve Wood take their side to Dewsbury on Saturday afternoon (18 June), to the Overthorpe Park home of Thornhill Trojans.

The Yorkshire side are having a tough time of it this season and are sitting in the bottom three at the moment. Coach Danny Ratcliffe will not be happy with this and will be looking to end their five game losing streak. They are at home and will fancy their chances. Mayfield on the other hand are improving week by week and are looking to continue that improvement this afternoon with a strong performance and a convincing win. Butterworth has not been able to field a settled side yet this season and that has affected the team. You need a regular side where players know who is next them and what that player is going to do. It breeds confidence and confidence can breed winners.

Todays side again sees changes as Jared Dash sits out after having surgery on a broken thumb, Darcy Maroske is also doubtful with a knee injury. There will be other changes too as Si Moore and Wayne English wait in the wings to reclaim their positions.

There have been some bright spots over the last few weeks, one being the way Cole Connolly and Ieuan Higgs have started to form an understanding at six and seven. This is an area that has caused many problems but these two seem to be settling in and ironing out the issues.

If the team are serious about reaching the top six play offs at the end of the season this is a game they need to be winning and that is what Butterworth is expecting today. 

Andy Reid and Craig White have been preparing their NWML side for their first game in weeks. The league has not run smoothly so far and the lads haven't played regular rugby, which makes it all the more creditable when you consider their position; second in the league with games in hand on the leaders. Todays visitors to the Mayfield Sports Centre, Woolston, from Warrington are mid table and will pose a stern test for Reidy's lads. This is a young Mayfield side but a quality one, with solid players right through the team. A win today will see them keep their push to regain that top spot and the dream of promotion.

Fixtures 18 June 2022

• NCL Premier Division: Thornhill v Mayfield, kick off 2.30pm
• NWML Divison 3: Mayfield v Woolston, kick off 2.30pm