Shield success for Under 16s
MAYFIELD under 16s clinched the North West Counties Youth Shield last week.
The match was played at Blackbrooks St Helens ground against Westhoughton, in front of a good crowd.
Mayfield started strongly showing how far thet have come this season but Westhoughton weren’t here just to make up the numbers and they pressed the Mayfield line looking for the first score.
Brilliant defence by the Mayfield lads kept them out.
The opposition were looking dangerous but a piece of magic from Ben Higginson gave his side the lead as he followed up
his own kick before rounding the defence to open the scoring, he converted the score for 6-0.
Jack Green extended the lead with a try in the corner after the two sides had arm wrestled for superiority in the middle of the park, 10-0.
This was an important score for Mayfield as Wests managed to get a try just before half time, 10-4.
The next score was always going to matter and it went to Mayfield as Harvey Holden regathered the short restart, he gave the ball to Jack Green who left the defence in his wake as he sped down the touchline before drawing the fullback and slipping a brilliant ball back to the supporting Holden who strolled in under the posts for a cracking try, Higginson slotted over the conversion, 16-4.
Green then crowned his afternoon by scoring his second which Higginson again converted, 22-4. The game looked over and Mayfield eased off the pedal in the last ten minutes.
Westhoughton showed a great never say die attitude as they lifted their game and took advantage of this, scoring two late converted tries, 22-16.
With only minutes remaining Westhoughton through everything they had at the Mayfield line, but they held firm with a fantastic defensive effort.
None more so than Josh Cragg who effectively saved the game for his side as he pulled of a superb try saving tackle to secure the victory.
There were some very good performances from the Mayfield team but the panel gave the MOM to Ben Higginson for a great all round effort.