Mayfield Rugby League

NO GAMES THIS WEEKEND

With no games scheduled for this week it is a time for coaches and players alike to reflect on the season so far. On the face of it with the first team just above the relegation places in the national conference division one, things may appear a little grim and when you consider that the next game is against table topping Saddleworth anyone looking in would be forgiven for thinking that. However the reality is a little different at the club, and all concerned appreciate that. With the way the team finished last season and the massive changes at the club during the closed season the revival was never going to be an easy task. However after losing the first five on the bounce new coaching duo Sam Butterworth and Tony Appleyard ably assisted by Alec Butterworth have put the hard graft in and seen the rewards for this. The team has only lost once in its last seven outings managing two away wins, one home win and three draws in that sequence.

“Winning breeds winners” is an old adage in the sporting world but it is a true statement and recent results have been testament to this. Along with the improved results has come a new found optimism and spirits in the team while always good are now on a new found high.The signing of three new oversees players has played no small part in this turnaround but added to this must also be the inclusion of some of Mayfield’s home produced talent most notably Aiden Gleeson, Sean Snape Paul Brearley and Paul Hancock. All the afore mentioned are products of the Mayfield Mustangs youth set up. Along with the already established first team players most at the club agree that they are moving in the right direction and if the recent improvement continues then the second half of this season could be a very interesting one.

Bring on Saddleworth next week and lets see how much we have really improved is the general consensus around the dressing room. All are invited to ground next Saturday to witness what should be a great game of rugby league.

Not to be outdone, the NWC team under the watchful eye of Leon Ashworth and Billy Hill along with team manager Jack Ashworth is also seeing an improvement in fortunes. After a slow start and some indifferent performances the lads have all pulled together and turned out some great results in the past few weeks.  Numbers at training have been up along with the effort put in. the nucleus of the side is again made up of former Mustangs with at least ten of the regular players having started their rugby league at the club from old timers Curly Kershaw and Adam Pirouzan to young guns John Marsland and Andy Taylor – who has recently impressed Hornets enough to be offered a training trial.

Mention must also be made of the record number of sponsors who have stepped up to the mark this season supporting the club in its endeavors both on and off the pitch most notably of these must be Dave Marcroft who has filled the sponsors box each week with local businesses willing to put their hard earned cash into keeping rugby going at the Mayfield Sports Centre. Last weeks occupants Tony and Phyl pratt certainly had a day to remember and indeed contributed to a great day for all at the club thanks very much. Last but not least many thanks to the volunteers who run the club and without whom none of this would be possible.