Title quest starts with visit of Hull

ROCHDALE Mayfield begin their challenge for the premier division title this afternoon at the Mayfield Sports Centre.

Their opponents are West Hull the team who finished in fifth spot in the division.

In the league campaign the honours were even with both teams winning their home fixture.

Mayfield will be hoping to have their strongest team available after resting injured players last week.

The Rochdale side will be slight favourites for the game but will take nothing for granted against a side who are one of only two sides to beat top-placed Siddal during the season proper.

There is no doubt that Mayfield have the skill and quality in their squad to compete at the top but they have on occasion let their discipline slip and it has cost them dearly.

Coaches Matt Calland and Sam Butterworth have had the lads in doing overtime this week and have worked on their concentration for the full eighty minutes. The winners of this game face the daunting task of a trip to the winners of the Cumbrian derby between Wath Brow and Kells.

The NWML side are in their own play off final against Widnes Tigers today after over coming Chorley last week.

They finished in the top spot after a fantastic season and will travel today full of confidence.

Like the NCL side though they will take nothing for granted as they face a side who have beat them twice this season. Coaches Dave Harmer and Marvin Connolly have worked hard at training and know their charges will have to pull something special out of the bag to beat the Widnes side.

The final is being played at Pilkington recs ground as part of the NWML finals day.