Mayfield Rugby League

Mayfield v Oulton Raiders

Today’s visitors Oulton Raiders lying mid-table and looking safe from the threat of relegation turned up looking to consolidate that position which ultimately they did with consummate ease against a Mayfield side lacking confidence and with several key players missing once again!

The writing was on the wall after only two minutes when a kick hoisted high from the halfway line by scrum half No 23 Danny Stanley bounced and wrong footed Mayfield’s fullback Seta Tala allowing Oulton’s No1 Scott Macdonald to collect and touch down under the sticks. Stanley picking up the extras 0 – 6.

Within two minutes of the restart Oulton were in again with No13 Andy Falkingham benefitting from a series of swift passes to take the score to 0 – 10 after Stanley was unable to convert his kick.

Another two minutes and Oulton No2 David White was almost in after a chip over the defence by Stanley only to be hauled down a metre short. However the 10^th minute saw Stanley weave his way through a very poor defence to score easily converting his own try 0 – 16.

Oulton winger David White got on the score sheet with 16 minutes gone squeezing by the left corner flag. Stanley screwed his kick wide 0 – 20.

Mayfield’s first chance to score came from a charge down by Simon Moore on the half way followed by his kick through and chase, but Macdonald proved to have the faster legs and just beat him to the ball in goal to bring it safely away!

The pressure was on again and with 26 minutes gone substitutes No 16 Adam Lunn combined with No17 Jamie Fields smashing his way over desperate defenders to score. Again Stanley couldn’t improve, 0 – 24.

Thankfully the next 14 minutes of forgettable football brought a welcome half time whistle and no further scoring?

After the resumption of play Mayfield had a chance to open their account when No13 Ryan Douglas took the ball forward finding No16 Adam Eyres who got within 5 metres of the Oulton line. Yet again from the play the ball a rushed pass was deemed forward to bring the move to a shuddering halt!

Oulton worked the ball up field and on 48 minutes No6 Andy Williamson shot out a crisp pass to Falkingham and then on to No 4 Gavin Wood for a well taken try. Stanley this time found his shooting boots and took the extra 2 points 0 – 30

Oulton’s No 14 Carlos Sanchez started a move 2 minutes later on 50 minutes which went through several pairs of hands ending with Wood crossing the whitewash in the right corner then rounding in goal to place the ball behind the posts. Stanley again converting 0 – 36.

Mayfield’s defence was looking pretty dejected and on 52 minutes Sanchez took full advantage dancing his way through virtually untouched to score under the posts. Again Stanley took the extras 0 – 42.

In the 55^th minute Paul Day, who had only just replaced Adam Colclough from the bench, pulled a hamstring in a tackle and took no further part in the game.

Mayfield once again spurned the chance to score while camped on the Oulton line with a lack of ideas to penetrate the defence ending in a turn over a couple of metres out!

On 64 minutes No4 Wood again exploited the lack of cover on Mayfield’s right and strolled in for another try, Stanley slotting it over from out wide, 0 – 48.

Sanchez again tormented the Mayfield defence when he punted a huge kick from his own 15 metre line for Macdonald to win a foot race to collect and score, Stanley then over-confidently sliced his kick wide leaving the score at 0 – 52.

Oulton finished off their scoring for the afternoon on 70 minutes with No 6 Williamson forcing his way over the line with 3 or 4 weary Mayfield players hanging off him. Stanley getting his last two pointer taking their tally to 0 – 58.

In the 73^rd minute Mayfield finally got  their only try of the day when No9 KcKenna Gibson forced his way through to touch down at the side of the right hand upright. No5 Andy Taylor taking the two pointer. 6 – 58.

The next few minutes mercifully went without any further scoring with both players and spectators somewhat deflated at the performance.

Mayfield:

1 Seta Tala, 2 Paul Lane, 3 Danny Chrimes, 4 Paul Day, 5 Andy Taylor, 6 Paul Brierley, 7 John Foy, 8 Ben Coombes, 9 McKenna Gibson, 10 Aiden Gleeson, 11 Simon Moore, 12 Ian Sampson, 13 Ryan Douglas, 14 Adam Colclough, 15 Chris Brett, 16 Adam Eyers, 17 Andy Reid.

Oulton Raiders:

1 Scott Macdonald, 2 David White, 3 Danny Hardy, 4 Gavin Wood, 5 Dave Wilkin, 6 Andy Williamson, 23 Danny Stanley, 8 Lee Williamson, 9 Aiden Bowden, 10 Ian Booth, 11 Mark Holmes, 12 Mick Coyle, 13 Andy Falkingham, 14 Carlos Sanchez 15 Danny Burton, 16 Adam Lunn, 17 Jamie Fields.