09/02/2008 Mayfield 46 Normanton Knights 0
February 9th, 2008 | by Mad Mal The Mauler |09/02/2008 Mayfield 46 Normanton Knights 0
By “Mad Mal The Mauler”
Today’s opposition Normanton Knights came with one loss in their last fifteen games leading NCL Division 2 comfortably and a side not to be under-estimated, Mayfield therefore put out the strongest side available to meet the challenge!
It didn’t take long for Mayfield to get in their stride when on 6 minutes Neil Ramsden off-loaded a pass to Pete Draper who slipped the ball out wide for Matt Calland to open the scoring. Steve Gartlands attempt to convert, shearing just wide of the upright 4 – 0 On 10 minutes an ankle injury to the Knights Gareth Ellis saw the game halted for 5 minutes and the lad off to hospital for treatment!
In the 13th minute fullback Ben Naumatua broke the defensive line with a powerful run to pass on to Draper in support who drew the defence and gave Matt Calland the ball to go storming in for his first of the game. Again Garts couldn’t make the kick 8 – 0
On 20 minutes the Knights mounted a sustain assault on the Mayfield line only to knock on and fall just short!
4 minutes saw Steve Gartland step off his right foot to glide past Andrew Greaves and slice through the rest of the Normanton defence only to be brought down 5 metres out. A quick play the ball saw Ramsden blast his way over at the side of the ‘H’ Gartland this time slotted over to make the score 14 – 0
The next 10 minutes saw both sides vying for position and the Knights came very close after a kick from deep by Johnny Kirk almost caught Ben Naumatua trying to slip a pass in-goal which was adjudged to have gone forward resulting in a re-start from under the sticks which could easily have been a try for Normanton instead?
With half time almost in sight, Paul Rolls broke through a couple of tackles and hared off up field, but Pete Draper in support just over-ran him before Rolls could pass. Again a fast play the ball by Neil Ramsden caught the Knights retreating and his pass to Jonathon Muir who made good metres then to Matt Calland who in turn found Ben Eaton in support to romp in under the posts. This time Paul Rolls took over kicking duties and slotted the two for a half time score of 20 – 0
The second half started when on 42 minutes a Draper kick through was just missed by a charging Jonathon Petty as it slipped out of play!
A minute later Normanton again came close when Richard Dobson burst through only to be halted inches short!
Only moments later Mayfield had worked quickly down field when Muir took the ball 40 metres, who then found Calland on his inside to take the pass and score. Rolls again converted 26 – 0
Another slick move started by Ian Sampson on to Draper and then to Eaton took Mayfield to the Knights 10 metre line, yet another quick play the ball saw Chris Brett crash over! Rolls again making the kick 32 – 0
Normanton however were not going to lie down and forced Mayfield into some frenzied defence and No 20 Johnny Kirk was held up over the line after a typical quarterback sneak attempt!
Probably the try of the game came in the 54th minutes when Ben Naumatua picked up the ball on the Mayfield 10 metre line and took off down the left wing for a 90 metre touch down ending with his trademark high dive into the corner! Rolls conversion attempt just fell short! 36 – 0
In the 60th minute Ben Naumatua copped an accidental knee to the side of his head in a tackle and was sparked unconscious with blood appearing to come out of his ear. After several minutes he thankfully seemed to recover, but was taken off and then to hospital for a check-up just to make sure there was nothing significantly wrong. It later transpired it was his ear that had been cut and nothing more serious?
66 minutes saw Petty break down the left side only to be caught around 10 metres out, but the quick thinking (and moving) Pete Draper snatched up the ball to score a try before the Knights could re-organise! From out on the sideline Rolls made a beautiful conversion. 42 – 0
The next 10/12 minutes saw referee Mr Wilf George (ex-Halifax player turned whistler) making a series of curious penalties, mainly against Mayfield, which slowed the game to a snail’s pace much to the chagrin of the decent sized crowd?
It didn’t change anything though as the final act of the game saw Jonathon Muir go down the left side to crash over in the corner. Paul Rolls kick this time just ran out of steam and sank below the bar. Final score 46 – 0
Again some outstanding performances in the Mayfield ranks with the forwards Dave Harmer, Tony Hilton, Jonathon Muir, Josh Peacock, Chris Brett and Ian Sampson making their impact felt all over the park! All the backs worked hard together and reaped the rewards against a side who were out to prove they were worthy of their place at the top of D2. Johnny Kirk, Chris Woolford and Richard Dobson all gave good performances, but
Adam Thaler was their Man-of-the-Match.
Neil Ramsden was Mayfield’s Man-of-the-Match with a top notch performance!
Let’s hope the two lads off to the Infirmary are o.k. and back playing a.s.a.p.
Next round for Mayfield in the NCL National Cup is Ince Rose Bridge away who were responsible for knocking out Leigh Miners Rangers so are absolutely no mugs?
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