Rugby league: Mayfield preview

Rochdale Mayfield club crest

Mayfield's 2024 season starts on Saturday 2 March when they make the arduous journey up the M6 to Whitehaven where they will face Wath Brow in their first game in the National Conference League Premier Division.

Sam Butterworth and Steve Wood are at the helm once more and are hoping to improve on last year's third place finish. Last season was outstanding with some superb performances, most notably Cornwall away and the Wath Brow away fixture where Mayfield won for the first time.

The pre-season hasn't gone exactly to plan for Mayfield as they went down in the Betfred Challenge Cup at London side Wests Warriors in their first game, after being unable to arrange a warm up game. Their next run out was a comfortable victory against Waterhead in the Oldham Standard Cup. Saturday is different though, it is the NCL Premier Division where every game is like a cup final and even at this stage of the season every game counts.

Mayfield make the journey with five first team players missing for one reason or another. There are no easy games at Wath Brow and a depleted side will make it even tougher this afternoon. Make no mistake though Mayfield will be going all out for the win, Wath Brow have started very well with two good away wins in the Challenge Cup before going down in a close fought contest at highly fancied, newly promoted York Acorn.

This will be a big game for Mayfield and they are keen to get their new signings on the field in the league. Zac Baker and Sean Slater have enjoyed a couple of run outs with their new team mates while Lewis Sheridan has yet to pull his boots on after knee surgery last year. All three are chomping at the bit and will be coming out looking for the win this weekend. With some quality players still to come back into this team, the lads will be looking to impress to keep their places a the season develops and that can only be a good thing.

The quality of the teams in this year's competition looks to be higher than ever before, and the results in the Challenge Cup support this with some NCL teams beating and pushing close some of the professional teams. This definitely looks like being the most competitive season yet and Mayfield are looking to to be up there competing with the best.

Saturday 2 March 2024

• NCL Premier Division: Wath Brow v Mayfield, kick-off 2.30pm