Mayfield Rugby League

Hull Dockers v Mayfield

Report by Mad Mal

Mayfield were visitors at Hull Dockers today who last week dispatched League leaders Leigh Miners in their own backyard 14 – 20 and were brimming with confidence of a relatively easy day at the office looking at the recent Mayfield record. Dockers also had an axe to grind with Mayfield after the defeat 26 - 22 imposed on them at Castleton Sports Centre back in November.

Mayfield kicked off with a pretty cold stiff wind at their backs and with just 3 minutes gone were awarded a penalty on the Hull 20 line for a head high shot. Taking what was on offer Aidy Gleeson confidently popped the kick over to open the scoring 0 – 2.

In the 7^th minute Hull’s No12 Jon Eccles forced his way over, but was held up by an enthusiastic Mayfield rearguard. From the 10 metre re-start with the pressure still on the ball was shipped out left into the hands of Dockers No6 Danny Ulyatt to slip in by the corner flag. No4 Paul Taylor landed a superb conversion from the sideline against the gusting wind, 6 – 2

A strange penalty by referee, Mr Croft, for ‘not binding’ in the scrum gave Hull another chance to go forward and they made no mistake When No3 Martin Johnson heaved a high kick into the arms of No20 Kristian Birch to score a neat try. Tayor again converting to take Dockers to 12 – 2 lead.

 In previous weeks that would have been enough for some Mayfield heads to drop, but not this bunch on this day, with 17 minutes gone and from the restart they showed they were up for it and after recovering the ball pushed Dockers back into their own 10 metre zone and were unlucky not to narrow the deficit when McKenna Gibson slid a grubber into the in goal only to see it ricochet off a couple of players legs to be scooped up at the last second and run dead in goal by Dockers No2 Robbie Smith. From the Hull restart from under the post Mayfield again put pressure on the line and on 19 minutes No9 McKenna Gibson showed determination and powered his way over taking 3 or 4 defenders with him for a great try.  Gleeson stepped up to take the kick and somehow, possibly with the gusting wind, hit the right hand upright to bounce back out? 12 - 6

Again on 23 minute Mayfield No13 Ryan Douglas combined with No3 Ste Wood and No2 Andy Taylor to be denied just short of the line.

Hull then got a chance to go further ahead when a high kick by Hull No7 Steve Sellers was hared onto by Robbie Smith who must have been a good 10 metres offside but went unnoticed, but fullback Carl Abrahams managed to thwart him putting the ball dead. From the kick restart the wind took the ball almost to Hull’s 40 metre line where their No1 Stuart Lambert spooned the catch taking the ball flush in the mouth. Thankfully he was not too badly injured, more embarrassed?

Mayfield were again fighting like tigers and on the half hour were really unlucky when a pass to the rampaging Simon Moore was called forward by the touchie as he steamed through for a certain try?

Again on 33 minutes Mayfield had pinned the Dockers behind their line and 3 Mayfield players, No5 Paul Lane, 11 Simon Moore and 13 Ryan Douglas going close, but were denied inches short! On the 4^th play McKenna Gibson burrowed his way under the defence to score to the left of the uprights. This time Andy Taylor took the conversion and drilled it over to level the scores at 12 – 12.

Hull could have gone back in front with 36 minutes gone when Danny Ulyatt went on a long sweeping run and rounded the Mayfield defence, but dropped the ball at the crucial moment. However with just a minute to go to half time Ulyatt made up for his previous error when the ball ended up in his hands after some great interchanges between several Dockers players. No4 Paul Taylor missed the extras and the whistle saw Dockers with a 16 – 12 lead at the break.

Two minutes into the second half a penalty for obstruction went Mayfield’s way and the kick to touch hung in the wind a couple of metres over the sideline then headed back into the field of play to bounce between Hull’s Taylor and Birch both accusing the other of not taking it?

In the 45^th minute an ankle injury to Mayfield’s fullback, Carl Abraham, which saw him taking no further part in the game which was a big loss as he had been very impressive at the back and also going forward! With the Mayfield defence a little unbalanced at Car’ls loss Dockers took full advantage with 48 minutes gone from the play the ball whipping it out left to right catching No11 Jason Bowsley in full flight to charge over in the right corner. Paul Taylor slice the conversion attempt wide, 20 – 12

The restart kick went high and again hung in the wind and No11 Simon Moore raced through and using his 6 foot 2 inches to soar above the Hull players to recover the ball, then evade several tackles to make it to the 20 metre line. A couple of quick plays on 52 minutes had the Dockers on the back foot and the quick thinking Gibson slid a grubber through for No3 Ste Wood to dive onto on the right hand side. John Marsland converting to narrow the gap to 20 – 18.  

The tussle continued until the 75^th minute when No2 Robbie Smith looked to have scored, but was denied by the touchjudge, for what I’m not sure? Only a couple of minutes late however a mix-up over ‘wiping the tackle count’ saw a Mayfield pass end up in Hull’s hands who then pressed the Mayfield line which cracked on 77 minutes when No20 Kristian Birch to score. Danny Ulyatt added to extras 26 – 16.

At this stage with the game gone and less than a minute to go Mayfield still wouldn’t give up the ghost and were rewarded when Simon Moore again broke through with a powerful run battering his way past defenders then slipped a peach of a pass to Andy Taylor to touch down. Again Johnny Marsland slotted the conversion over with the whistle following the successful kick leaving Mayfield gallant losers at 26 – 24.

This was a game where every one of the 17 Mayfield lads played like winners not losers and the Hull Dockers coach Lee Richardson congratulated their commitment and effort saying they out-enthused and at times out-played the Hull Dockers and perhaps deserved more than they ended up with, being “grateful” to take the eventual 2 points!

If these lads stay together for next season and show the same commitment it should be the foundation for an exciting 1^st Division campaign. It’s easier to want to play in the likes of last years successful team, but it is a damn sight harder to train, turn up and play in a side that has been struggling so a big thanks to the lads that have? To those who haven’t, take a look in the mirror, a team only become successful with endeavour, commitment and TEAMSPIRIT. These lads had it today!

A word should go to Carl Abrahams fresh from his tour of duty in Afghanistan putting his hand up to play and unfortunately getting injured in the process, lets hope it’s not too serious?

Next week it’s another difficult visit to Humberside at East Hull, but who knows?

While Mayfield’s M.o.t.M. was a worthy McKenna Gibson, but Simon Moore could easily have been selected along with two or three others?

Hull Dockers M.o.t.M. was Jon Eccles.

Mayfield:

1 Carl Abraham, 2 Andy Taylor, 3 Ste Wood, 4 Ryan Reed, 5 Paul Lane, 6 Paul Brierley, 7 Jon Foy, 8 Ben Coombes, 9 KcKenna Gibson, 10 Aidy Gleeson, 11 Simon Moore, 12 Danny Chrimes, 13 Ryan Douglas, 14 John Marsland, 15 Keil Huetson, 16 Terry Whaley, 17 Adam Ayers.

Hull Dockers:

1 Stuart Lambert, 2 Robbie Smith, 3 Martin Johnson, 4 Paul Taylor, 5 Kristian Birch, 6 Danny Ulyatt, 7 Steve Sellers, 8 Aaron Bradley, 9 Phillip Elbourne, 10 Mathew Emerson, 11 Jason Bowsley, 12 Jon Eccles, 13 Andrew Taylor, 14 David Fletcher, 15 Sam Bennett, 16 Darren Bunby, 17 Gary King.