Mayfield Preview

Sam Butterworth, Ben Butterworth - Mayfield

Mayfield begin a run of three away games on Saturday as they travel to Oulton Raiders.

The Leeds based club lost last week to second placed Wigan St Pat's in what was a close run contest and the defeat left them propping up the division.

Despite this Mayfield coaches Calland and Butterworth will not be taking the opposition lightly as they look to consolidate their top of the table spot.

Oulton have given Mayfield some fearsome battles in recent years and pipped them to the division one title last season. It's a fact that they have some quality players but for some reason they have just not clicked together yet and the Mayfield side will be hoping that Saturday isn't the day that happens.

Last week's win that lifted them to the top of the table also had a high price for Mayfield with Paul Brearley sustaining a hamstring injury and player coach Matt Calland a suspected broken jaw, both will miss the game.

On the bright side the team performed well with the defence responding positively to the midweek training sessions.

The forwards, as usual, were on top of their opposite numbers with Aidan Gleeson, Ben Butterworth and Liam Whalley in particular impressing.

In the backs, Aussie Dave Wood continued to show what a quality player he is with a massive effort in defence also linking well with Rob Kershaw on the wing. Wood was unlucky not to finish with the man-of-the-match award last week but that went to the mercurial Dec Sheridan who is having a great season.

Also impressive last week was Lewis Sheridan who is now returning to his best despite sometimes having to play out of position.

The next three games are all away against what are currently the bottom three clubs and if Mayfield are serious about retaining their position they must do well in these three games.

It is hoped they will again have the services of Wayne Ryburn and Roydon Gillett who both stepped in last week to ease the ever growing injury list.

The NWML side are also on the road travelling to face fellow bottom three club Leyland Warriors.

Dave Harmer's side were desperately unlucky not to pick up two points last week as they went down to Bank Quay by one try, 36 - 42.

Leyland haven't played for a couple of weeks and the Mayfield side will be looking to catch them cold, going all out from the opening whistle.

"We had a great side out last week and were unlucky to come against a Bank Quay side who had just found form," said Harmer. "If the same lads show up again on Saturday we have a great chance of going to Leyland and returning with the points".

Fixtures - 25 July
NCL Premier Division, Oulton Raiders v Mayfield - kick off 2.30pm
NWML Division Leyland Warriors v Mayfield - kick off 2.30pm