Rugby league: Mayfield preview

Rochdale Mayfield club crest

Saturday is a massive day for the Mayfield club as they travel down the East Lancs road to Twist Lane, the home of Leigh Miners Rangers, their opponents in this weekend's BetFred Challenge Cup 3rd round tie.

This has all the ingredients of a classic cup tie, with everything at stake. There will be no quarter asked or given as these two giants of amateur rugby league go into battle this afternoon. Leigh go into the game with a victory away at Myton Warriors and a bad defeat at home to newly promoted Kells. Mayfield will take heart from this but coaches Sam Butterworth and Steve Wood know full well that this is the Challenge Cup and last week means nothing.

It's all about what you give on the day that counts and Mayfield have certainly got a lot to give. They have been improving week on week, playing some breathtaking rugby in the process. They have also had some off moments and failed to kill opponents off when they were on top. Butterworth expects another improvement on Saturday with another game under their belt, the lads should have got that little bit more used to each other.

Selection will be a tough one for the coaches with a strength in depth not seen at the club in recent years. As always it will be the best 17 for this game and conditions, and Sam will probably know midweek what his side will be. A win would see Mayfield's in the draw for the fourth round for the first time and this would mean the chance of drawing one of the big clubs and another historic day.

Miners are a good side and the honours were shared last season with each side winning their home game. Mayfield have recruited well and will be looking at travelling to Leigh and returning with that entry into the fourth round in their pockets. The new signings are looking good with the Long brothers and Sam Wright impressing along with Dakota Tolhurst in the centre. Great players, all being pulled together by the guile of Sean Penkywicz and Dec Sheridan in the middle. Add devastating forwards Seta Talatoka, Ben Metcalfe and Joe Taira and you see the potential of this side. Probably the most pleasing this season though has been the step up by 17-year-old full back Harry Sheridan, this lad is rock solid at the back and brilliant under the high ball. He also fears nothing and is not afraid to take the opposition on at every opportunity.

Mayfield are expecting a good following on Saturday with Leigh only being down the road and spectators are advised that the game kicks off at 2pm. Long time member of the club and committee Pete Duffy said: "I urge our fans to get down to Leigh for what I think will be a great day of rugby. Our fans are really important to us as a club, they lift the side and are definitely worth points on the board. So come on down for this one and hopefully be part of history being made."

Andy Reid and his NWML side entertain Ashton Bears at the Mayfield Sports Centre on Saturday in a Division 2 clash of the day. The side had a great win at home last week and again Reidy has a strong squad to select from. He takes nothing for granted but is expecting another big performance from his young side, and Rob Kershaw.

Fixtures Saturday 11 March 2023

• Challenge Cup third round: Leigh Miners v Mayfield, kick off 2pm
• NWML Division 2: Mayfield v Ashton Bears, kick off 2.30pm