Royal visit to kick start campaign
MAYFIELD begin their season proper this afternoon as they entertain Wigan St Pats in the Kingstone Press Premier division clash of the day.
Pats are without doubt rugby league royalty with many seasons in the top flight of the amateur game.
Mayfield themselves are pushing towards that claim too as they continue to improve year on year. Since their promotion back into the top division, the coaching duo of Matt Calland and Sam Butterworth have worked wonders with the squad.
Last year’s campaign was particularly impressive as several of the more senior players saw their careers come to an end. Calland and Butterworth were fearless as they introduced more and more of their Lancashire Cup winning U18s squad into the team. Players like Munya Samanyanga, Matty Ashton, James Coonaughton and Lee Registe all featured during the season with Zac Hartley making himself a regular with some outstanding performances.
Other youngsters impressing are prop James Shaw and utility player Matty Chrimes. The quality these lads are showing surprised no one at the club but they have caught out the more experienced teams on more than one occasion.
Mayfield have gained invaluable experience in the run up to this game with two outings against professional side Barrow and a hard fought win against Saddleworth in the Standard Cup semi final.
Today’s game has all the makings of a classic with two of last year’s top six finishers.
Both sides will be looking to make a positive start to the season.
Calland has a few injurues to contend with today with. Callum Ogden is out after dislocating his shoulder at Barrow last week and with other players picking up knocks there will be a couple of lads undergoing fitness tests before the final seventeen is named.
Calland and Butterworth are also hoping a big name new signing will be making his debut in the blue and white which will give the side a massive boost.
Mayfield’s NWML side also begin their league campaign today with a trip to Wigan St Judes. Mayfield prepared for this game last week with a friendly against Premier Division outfit Heysham Atoms.
The Rochdale side gave a good account of themselves and were unlucky in the end to lose the game. Fitness was the telling factor with Heysham scoring two late tries to win the game. Coach Dave Harmer has welcomed the massively experienced Marvin Connolly on to the coaching team. He will be invaluable as the team strive to improve on last season’s poor showing. The duo will wait and see who the first team take before naming their side.