Rugby league: Mayfield preview

Rochdale Mayfield club crest

After last week's top of the table clash Mayfield face the team at the foot of the league as they make the trip down the East Lancs Road to Leigh to face the Miners.

Miners have had a poor start to the season with just one win from nine starts. Mayfield on the other hand are riding high after ending leaders Hunslet's winning run. We all know this counts for nothing in long held sporting rivalries and this will be one tough game as the hosts aim to knock the smiles off the faces of their visitors.

Sam Butterworth and Steve Wood are ready for this and will be sending their team out primed and ready for a battle. There are some bruised and battered bodies in the Mayfield ranks and so Butterworth will delay naming his seventeen until the last minute but he knows this will be a good side going out to play fast, open rugby and playing with a ferocious defence.

Mayfield are four points behind leaders Hunslet and second placed Wath Brow, with two games in hand so they need to win this one to keep up their challenge for the top spot.

The NWML side will be at the Mayfield Sports Centre where they entertain Cumbrians Roose Pioneers. Roose are third in third spot and will be travelling to improve their position. Andy Reid's side are down in the relegation zone but have recently made some excellent signings which Andy hopes will start to improve results.

They have a great blend of youth and maturity in the side and are confident Saturday's game will go their way.

The Mayfield Ladies' side are also at home this weekend on Sunday when they entertain Ashton Bears.

The ladies have had an inspirational start to their rugby league story and coaches Wiggy Watmough and Tyler White are confident that they can do well in this one and produce the quality rugby they are becoming known for.

Fixtures Saturday 20 May 2023

• NCL Premier Division: Leigh Miners v Mayfield, kick-off 2.30pm
• NWML Division 2: Mayfield v Roose, kick-off 2.30pm

Fixture Sunday 21 May 2023

• Womens Merit: Mayfield v Ashton Bears, kick-off 2pm