Mayfield Rugby League

22/03/2008 Leigh Miners Rangers 26 v Mayfield 26

22/03/2008 Leigh Miners Rangers 26 v Mayfield 26

By “Mad Mal The Mauler”

Setting off from Castleton Sports Centre with gale force winds and snow flurries a decent game of rugby league looked out of the question, but on arrival at Leigh Miners Rangers the weather had totally changed with bright sunshine, but only a brisk cold northerly wind!

Spot on 2.30pm Miners kicked off to Matt Calland who immediately charged forward into the Miners charging pack and at the last second slipped the ball to debutant Jack Sampson who penetrated to the Miners 40 metre line. In the next couple of plays Paul Rolls found Jack again out wide to dive over for Mayfield’s first score in the very first minute. Unfortunately Mike Kaufman’s kick went just short in the gusting wind. 0 – 4

In the 4th minute another great break through the Miners defensive line by Calland saw him pass to Jack Sampson then to Mike Kaufman who went in the left corner for what seemed to be a perfectly good touch down, but not in the eyes of referee Charlie Neilson it was a forward pass and the try was declined? The first of many curious decisions in the 83 minutes?

In the 10th minute with Mayfield pressing, Mike Kaufman copped a high tackle and ‘Field opted to take the two which Mike subsequently did! 0 – 6

In the 17th minute LMR were putting together a concerted attack at the end of a grubber into the right corner was cleaned up by Mayfield, however on return of the ball from under the sticks Miners put together a great set of passes from the right wing over to the left finding No11 Liam Coleman who cut inside and weaved his way to the right hand side of the posts for a lovely try. Martyn Ridyard took the extras with ease 6 – 6.

After the re-start Mayfield worked the ball up field to their 40 metre line where in the 21st minute Matt Calland again showed his strength and guile to ghost past the miners defenders, slipping the ball to Pete Draper who returned the run around to Calland who handed on the Grant Bithel to score under the black dot. Kaufman stepped up to convert from in front of the post 6 – 12

LMR were now spurred into some serious action and pressed toward the Mayfield line with Simon Warhurst charging forward, passing (what appeared to be 2 metres forward) to Adam Higson then for Aaron Gorton to finish under the crossbar. Ridyard put the kick over to level the scores at 12 – 12

The try of the game came in the 30th minute when Matt Calland again smashed his way through the LMR defence to hare off with jack Sampson in support, but he didn’t need him and out-paced the chasing Miners to score in the left corner! From out wide Kaufman couldn’t improve! 12 – 16.

The next 10 minutes saw the game swing from end to end without any further scoring?

Half time 12 – 16

Within two minutes of the start of the second half Miners blasted at the Mayfield defence with Aaron Gorton leading then passing to Ridyard who drew the tackle before slipping the ball out to Adam Higson who dived in for the try! Ridyard again converting 18 – 16

Mayfield could have replied in the following couple of minutes with Calland going within a metre of the Miners line and John Petty too just coming up short, thrilling stuff!

It wasn’t long though before the next attack saw Superman Calland receive, then in a flash, pass the ball to Kaufman to get in the left corner once more. Again the width of the pitch and wind conspired for Mike to just sail wide! 18 – 20

Miners could have been back in the game in the 56th minute when LMR No17 Tom Eckersly dropped the ball over the whitewash?

In the 63rd minute Miners were intent on scoring only 30 metres out with Mayfield defending for their very lives, but the alert Pete Draper intercepted a hopeful long pass and shot off toward the Miners line. Looking over his shoulder looking for support saw there was none and had it to do himself, 10 metres out the chasers gave up allowing Pete to sweep round from out wide left to put it under the posts. Perhaps another contender for try of the game? Mike stuck it over to improve. 18 – 26.

The 70th minute saw Charlie Neilson lose the plot once more with three consecutive penalties taking Miners to the Mayfield 10! The next phase of play ended with another forward pass being missed/ignored when LMR No2 Darren Pilkington got over in the right corner. Ridyard couldn’t convert the difficult kick 22 – 26.

Barely one minute later a Miners try was disallowed, for what I don’t know as I was unsighted by the Mayfield bench?

Back to the other end of the field where both Petty and young Sammy went awfully close to scoring. Edge of the seat stuff for both sets of supporters now!

The next Mayfield attack got to the Miners 30 metre line where Calland opted to kick the ball into touch as the 80th minute approached! Now where the next three or four minutes came from is anyone’s guess, But Charlie Neilson seemed intent on prolonging the game and duly gave Miners every chance to score by again marching Mayfield back into their own half. On the 83rd/84th minute Martyn Ridyard saved the Miners blushes by going in the right corner, but couldn’t win the game with the conversion? That would have been too cruel to a Mayfield side who were simply superb! Final score 26 – 26.

Every player today was exemplary, epitomised by Andy Reid who when was so fired up when told to come off with minutes to go said something like “F**k off, I haven’t missed a tackle all day” What an attitude, I love it!!!!! The return of Matt Calland who was immense, also Paul Rolls and Mike Kaufman made a huge difference in the performances of the last couple of weeks!

In the club house after the game it was stated that Mayfield were, by far, the best team to challenge the Miners at their Gaff and admitted they were indeed lucky to get the draw?

The draw was however enough to see Mayfield safely into the play-offs with two more game to go. The one point also puts Miners in pole position for the Minor Premiership with other results going in their favour!

Unless Leigh East come unstuck at Thornhill (who turned over Skirlaugh today!) and Mayfield must win both remaining games, it looks like Mayfield should retain 5th spot which is way above expectations at the start of the season.

Well done to each and every player who has contributed to this magnificent effort when mid table would have been seen as a success!

Mayfield’s M.o.t.M. Matt Calland
Leigh Miners Rangers M.o.t.M. Martyn Ridyard

Next week sees another tough encounter away at Hull Dockers, nothing comes easy!