Morale takes a hit as cry offs affect Mayfield
COACHES Sam Butterworth and Steve Wood must have been kicking themselves on Friday night as they named their team for this clash at Leigh Miners.
Just as the side was coming good and were producing some quality rugby four players declared themselves unavailable, for various reasons.
A hasty reshuffle saw Mayfield make the journey with what, on paper, still looked like a strong team.
This wasn’t the case on the field though, where it counts.
This was a poor game from two teams who put on an average performance at best.
In Mayfield’s defence the four drop outs made a massive difference, in both ability on the pitch and just as importantly, morale.
The sides started well with Mayfield probably just edging it in the skill factor.
A missed tackle in the middle though set the tone after ten minutes and a converted try put the hosts in front, 6-0.
Mayfield were soon back on level terms after good work from Rob Kershaw and Nick Hargreaves saw the latter score a try converted by
Lewis Butterworth, 6-6. Minutes later a Fin Stewart break backed up by Dec Sheridan saw Jack Mcconnachie dummy his way over, Butterworth converted to put the visitors in front 6-10.
Mayfield looked strong at this point, repelling the Miners attack with some strong goal line defence.
Si Moore, Corey Newsham and Butterworth made try saving tackles.
Just when it looked like Mayfield were going to take control, the wheels fell off.
They allowed the home side countless offloads in the tackle, didn’t communicate in the middle and appeared to completely disregard the game plan.
Miners capitalised on every error with their rangey winger reaching over from what looked like 10 yards out to level the scores, 10-10.
The same player was instrumental in the next score as he broke and kicked through for his pacey full back, who gratefully accepted the gift and scored under the sticks, 16-10.
Mayfield’s scrambling defence kept out any further scores in the first half and Shaun Hurley and Danny Dean worked hard in this period.
The half time break seemed to suit Mayfield as they narrowed the deficit in the first set after the restart with a try in the corner from Fin Stewart, 16-14.
Butterworth’s side showed some decent touches in a good twenty minute spell but failed to to take the lead after two knock ons over the line.
Young Ben Metcalfe was particularly impressive as he continued to stake his claim for a regular spot in the team.
Typically, though, a soft penalty put Miners on the Mayfield line and they crossed with ease for a converted score, 22-14.
They would have gone further ahead but for another Lewis Butterworth try saver.
With 20 minutes to go Mayfield were down to 12 after Sheridan back chatted the ref.
As often happens in these circumstances the team lifted their game to compensate and were rewarded when Mcconnachie put Connolly through for a try which Connolly went on to convert. 22-20.
Mayfield were then awarded a pen under the sticks which Connolly again popped over to level the game, 22-22.
Miners pushed back and rode their luck after a poor kick rebounded of a Mayfield player dtraight into the hands of the home winger who crossed in the corner for the final score 26-22.
Mayfield tried hard to