Mayfield open door for Siddal
MAYFIELD arrived at Siddal on Saturday after drafting in several late replacements following withdrawals due to injuries and work commitments.
They could have been forgiven if they had started slowly, especially in the freezing conditions.
They surprised everyone as they started like a house on fire with Ieuan Higgs regathering the ball from the kick off.
Mayfield powered down field and Cole Connolly fed Callum Marriott who rampaged through the shell shocked defence for a Zac Hartley converted try, 0-6.
Conditions were always going to dictate play with snow and a gale force wind at their backs Mayfield were on fire for the first twenty minutes with Harltey and Connolly punishing Siddal with some excellent kicking.
From one of Connolly’s kicks Brandon Wood showed why he has been selected to train with the England U19s squad as he showed strength and skill to collect the kick and squeeze over in the corner, 0-10 and it looked at last like Mayfield might overcome their recent run of bad luck in this fixture.
Then, true to form the Mayfield penalty machine kicked in, giving their hosts repeat set after repeat set and like last week the game plan was lost, allowing Siddal the chance to get back in the game.
They did so after some quick play the balls caught Mayfielld out and they managed to pull back a score to make it 6-10 at half time.
Mayfield had had the edge in the first half and deserved their narrow lead. Si Moore and Liam Whalley worked hard along with Connolly and Brandon Wood.
Conditions worsened in the second half and Mayfield’s performance went with the weather but they still managed to show a touch of their pedigree as Matty Chrimes extended his side’s lead, 6- 14.
With the penalty count creeping up, Mayfield began to pay the price for the lost possession and extra tackling.
Siddal scored again and the added conversion put them within two points of Mayfield. With a minute to go Mayfield were in possession and driving the ball out from their own ten when they gave away a penalty which surrendered the ball and effectively gave Siddal the game as they scored to make it 16-14.
Mayfield must learn lessons from this as once again they had enough class and skill in their ranks to take this game, but as they have done countless times before they gave their opponents chance after chance to stay in and eventually win. the game.