Mayfield clinch Division 1 title
ROCHDALE Mayfield NWML were crowned Division 1 champions after a stunning 51-6 victory over their nearest challengers Walney Central.
This was a cracking performance from the Mayfield side and just showed the potentiual that these lads have.
After gaining promotion as champions last season not many gave them a chance of finishing in the top half of the table, let alone finishing top and going on to clinch the title in real style – but that is what they have done.
Two early tries from James McDade and John Foy after great work from Callum Corcoran set the tone for the game but Mayfield took their foot of the gas and allowed Walney back in the contest.
A string of penalties and errors gave the Cumbrians extended possession with four sets in the Mayfield twenty and a try was inevitable.
After completely dominating the first fifteen minutes, Mayfield were left with just a two point lead at 8-6. Nick Hargreaves and Rob Kershaw worked hard to turn the game back in their favour and they were rewarded when Jack Rush crashed over for a Zac Hartley converted try, 14-6.
Walney tried hard but were thwarted by some great defence from Joe Schofield, Mark Biggins and Corey Newsham with a brilliant try saver on the line.
Walney stiffened up their tackling and kept Mayfield at bay but just before half time on the fifth tackle Hartley began a passage of play that saw 25 passes before he again received the ball and managed against the odds to reach out for a brilliant score which he then converted for 20-6.
The start of the second half saw Walney again show great spirit as they tried their best to get back in the running and Mayfield were getting a bit frustrated. That was until a great break from Kershaw found Corcoran in support who then returned the ball to Kershaw for a great try which lifted the team again. Hartley converted, 26-6.
Mayfield were now in total control and played some great rugby through Cole Connolly, Corcoran and Newsham pushing up from full back.
A rare Walney foray into the Mayfield ten was thwarted when Foy read the play brilliantly and intercepted the pass, racing the full length of the pitch to score a breathtaking try in the corner, 30-6.
John Marsland was next on the scoresheet with a well crafted try followed by a Connolly drop goal, 35-6.
Hargreaves was rewarded with a try after a hard working performance and Kershaw bagged his second before Tom Fitzgerald rounded of the scoring with brilliant piece of finishing, 51-6.
This was a very good performance from the Mayfield side and they were fully deserving of the victory. The forwards once again dominated, setting the platform for the classy backs to run the tries in. James McDade, Joe Schofield, Corey Newsham, Callum Corcoran all impressed while Jack Rush, Macauley Donnelly, Mark Biggins and Paul Riley did well in the pack
The team and coaching staff gave Rob Kershaw their man of the match after an all action performance while Zac Hartley was nominated as the nwml officials man of the match.
Corey Newsham, Tom Fitzgerald, Joe Schofield, James Mcdade, John Foy, John Marsland, Zac Hartley, Mark Biggins, Callum Corcoran, Sean Hurley, Jack Rush, Lee Bradley, Rob Kershaw,Cole Connolly, Nick Hargreaves,Paul Riley,Macauley Donnelly.