MAYFIELD GET THE POINT
October 21st, 2009 | by Simon |Mayfield Sports Centre, Saturday 17/10/09
Rochdale Mayfield 16
Bradford Dudley Hill 16
ROCHDALE Mayfield failed to capitalise on a solid first half performance as they were held to a 16-16 draw at Castleton Sports Centre on Saturday.
In perfect conditions, disciplined defence and astute attacking play had seen them establish a 16-4 interval lead and, with more composure it could have been more.
The visitors from Bradford gamely fought their way back into the game in the second half to take a share of the points.
Dudley Hill enjoyed the early pressure but Mayfield’s defence held firm.
The hosts broke out and might have scored when Sam Butterworth’s long pass was whipped wide but failed to go to hand.
Mayfield opened the scoring with a superb forwards try, Mark Biggins and Aidy Gleeson combining to send Chris Brett over. Butterworth converted.
From the restart, it was a moment to forget for young scrum half Paul Brearley as he caught the kick-off before it had gone the mandatory 10 yards. In fairness his more experienced team-mates should have yelled at him to leave it, he didn’t and Dudley Hill were awarded a penalty on halfway.
And, as so often happens after an error of this kind they took full advantage, hooker Nathan Kitson sneaking over from close-range.
To say Dudley Hill’s joy was short lived would be an understatement as they failed to gather the kick-off. An alert Ben Coombes had given chase and he gleefully collected the loose ball, slipped it inside to Todd O’Brien who scored the simplest of tries. Butterworth converted.
Mayfield were now playing with confidence and on the half-hour mark player coach Butterworth’s tremendous long pass created space on the outside for Paul Lane and the winger made no mistake.
Lane was again prominent in the closing minutes of the half with two copybook tackles to keep Dudley Hill at Bay.
The second half looked as though it might follow a similar pattern when neat interplay between O’Brien and Butterworth opened up the visitors’ defence only to be pulled back for a marginal forward pass.
It was now Dudley Hill’s turn to desperately defend as Butterworth pulled the strings and the others willingly followed, Australian Joe Robinson hauled down just short of the line on his debut.
But with 15 minutes remaining Mayfield seemed to run out of ideas and steam.
Poor tackling allowed Lewis Evans to break from deep in his own half and his fellow winger Jamie Brentley was on hand to accept his pass and gallop for the line. There was the hint of a forward pass in the build up but Tony Williams converted to close the gap to six points.
Five minutes later it was a case of déjà vu as Dudley Hill exploited the fact that the referee failed to stop play for a Simon Moore injury, and ran the ball at his place in the defensive line. Mayfield could not cover and Sean Kelly showed excellent pace to outstrip the home defence. Kelly added the extras to level the scores and it was all to play for.
The hosts then had a lucky escape as Dudley Hill crossed again after stand off Ryan Dickinson had shrugged off several would-be tacklers, this one disallowed for a forward pass.
It was the wake-up call Mayfield needed and a late rally saw Lee Atkinson held up over the line. Then, having set up the field position on several occasions, they tried to set up a drop goal attempt. But it was to no avail as the whistle sounded and the home team had to settle for a point.
Few would argue it was a fair result but Mayfield will be kicking themselves for having lost the 12-point advantage they held at half time.
For Mayfield there was a lot of hard graft from all the forwards and, while Butterworth caught the eye and Lane played well, Gleeson’s industry and commitment made him man of the match.
Mayfield: Namatalua, Kershaw, Wood, Simon Moore, Lane, Butterworth, Brearley, Coombes, O’Brien, Brett, Biggins, Gleeson, Atkinson, England, Robinson, Matthew Moore, Ben Simpson.
Eccles and Salford 22
Mayfield ‘A’ 26
Mayfield A travelled to Eccles and came away with an excellent win - built on a strong first half showing and strong determination in the second.
The first half saw exciting and flowing Rugby League by the ‘field as they tore the home defence to shreds to build up a healthy lead. Eccles came back strongly after the break but the team spirit and will to win in this Mayfield side ensured they held out to take both points to the delight of the coaches, players and staff.
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