Title-chasing Thatto’s physical test

MAYFIELD look to capitalise on last week’s victory over Egremont as they travel to third placed Thatto Heath this afternoon.

Thatto will be a different prospect on their own meadow as they look to push to be the league leaders and with two games in hand on Wath Brow it is a definite possibility.

Having gone down twice to todays opposition already this season Coaches Sam Butterworth and Dave Wood know the size of the task in hand.

Thatto are a big physical side and use their forwards to create the gaps in the defence before the backs step in to exploit them.

Mayfield will be prepared for the onslaught today and have worked hard all week in preparation for the defensive effort needed to repel this.

There have been huge leaps in the last couple of weeks in Mayfield’s game with the introduction of James Tilley in the pack and the return of Zac Hartley at half back.

This has seen the side improve right across the park and instilled some belief in the players.

Zac and Cole Connolly are getting together now and making a formidable pairing, organising the players and the plays.

Just a few weeks ago they seemed a certainty to be playing in the first division next season but this resurgence has given the club hope that they will get through this and keep their premier division status.

Butterworth said: “I have always believed we were good enough to stay up and now the players believe it too.

“Today is a tough ask but we have a game plan and if we stick to it i know we have it in us to provide a shock at Thatto this afternoon.

“We have six games left including today, four of them are at home and you can be sure that we are going out to win every one of them.

“That may not happen, we may slip up but we aim to get out of the relegation zone and give the club and our supporters what they deserve, premier division rugby next season.”

NCL prem Thatto Heath v Mayfield ko 2.30