Mayfield Rugby League

Rochdale Mayfield v Normanton Knights 19/09/09

Rochdale Mayfield 14

Normanton Knights 18

ROCHDALE Mayfield failed to capitalise on a strong first-half display which saw them lead 12-0 at the break, as they were beaten by Normanton Knights at Castleton Sports Centre on Saturday.

And, once again, the hosts were made to pay for their mistakes, indiscipline and errors, allowing the workmanlike Knights plenty of possession which they eventually turned into points.

It’s an old adage in rugby league that you can’t play without the ball and, if you turn it over to the opposition and incur a marathon tackling stint, something has to give and it did.

Mayfield couldn’t have asked for a better start as from the first set of the match hooker Todd O’Brien nipped in from acting half for a try with just 40 seconds on the clock. McKenna Gibson converted.

But, having made a superb start, the home team contrived to lose the ball early in the tackle count and invite Normanton on to the attack.

Mayfield defended manfully and might have extended their lead in the 18th minute when Ben Butterworth broke for the line, but the support was slow to arrive and the chance was gone.

The home team continued to press and O’Brien again made a dart for the line but was held up.

Two penalties and a lost ball saw Mayfield needing to defend heroically for long spells, before finally breaking out to score.

And, when they did, it was a spectacular individual effort by Seta Tala, who shrugged off several would-be tacklers to race 40 metres to touch down. Gibson converted.

With half-time approaching, Gibson broke again but the ball was spilled and another chance was lost.

Normanton came out for the second half in determined mood and after a period of intense pressure they swung the ball wide for Andrew Greaves to cross out wide.

Mayfield dug deep but a promising attack was brought to a halt by a forward pass.

They then had a lucky escape when a kick over the top was hacked on and the Normanton fullback Mick Butterfield appeared to touch down. The referee, though, decided a Mayfield player had beaten him to it and a drop-out ensued.

Mayfield were now well and truly under the cosh with the majority of wounds self inflicted as the ball was spilled with alarming frequency.

It was only a matter of time before the visitors took advantage and in the 54th minute a powerful run by Paul Seal set up a try for Ryan Tifford. Mick Hill converted.

The hosts should have scored three minutes later when Gibson danced his way through and slipped the ball to Butterworth. He raced for the line and, perhaps, should have had the confidence to go all the way. Instead his intended pass to Paul Lane was high and behind the winger and a certain try went begging.

Two penalties helped Normanton relieve the pressure, the second of which was converted to level the scores.

Gibson then restored Mayfield’s lead courtesy of another penalty and it was all to play for.

But with the hosts wilting, a knock-on and a penalty presented the visitors with territorial advantage and Butterfield, who had been a thorn in Mayfield’s side throughout the match, brushed aside several tired tackles and galloped to the line. Hill converted to seal the win for the Yorkshire side.

On the whistle Normanton celebrated as though they had won the cup, while Mayfield, who were not short on commitment and enthusiasm, were left to contemplate one that got away.

 report kindly produced by Mike Floyd