It’s make or break time for Mayfield

MAYFIELD play already relegated Kells this afternoon at their Whitehaven ground, Old Arrowthwaite.

This really could be make or break for Sam Butterworth and Steve Woods’ side as they try to cling on, winning today could see them move out of the bottom three if results go to form and fourth from bottom Leigh Miners go down at top of the table West Hull.

The season is definitely in Mayfields own hands, simply, if they win all three of their remaining games they stay up. Lose one and they are depending on others to slip up and that’s not a situation they want to be in. A blow for Butterworth was the loss this week of strong running forward Nicholas Hargreaves in a freak accident which could see him sit out the rest of the season.

However that loss is tempered by the return to the squad of Si Moore, Declan Sheridan and Liam Whalley.

Butterworth was leaving it to the last minute to name his side, who travelled to Cumbria last night in an attempt to ensure the best possible preparation for the game.

Kells have won two from their last eight games but they have both been against bottom four teams, so Mayfield are under no illusions about this game it will be tough blood and guts rugby league with no quarter asked or given, just as it was meant to be played. Mayfield are playing for their survival and Kells for their pride.

Both are powerful motivators and make this game a tough one to call.

As the Kells coach comments in his programme this week, his side have never beaten Mayfield in the league, so let’s hope that can still be said after this one.

Butterworth said: “We’re travelling up on Friday evening and I would like to thank chairman Simon Howe and the club for making that possible. It shows how serious we all are at the Mayfield about staying in this division. It is always tough coming here and today will be tougher than usual as Kells try to restore some pride in their season.

“They will definitly be out for that first league win against us while we will be building on recent good performances and hope to make the long journey home a bit easier with two points in the bag.”

NCL prem Kells v Mayfield