Positive change in the air at Mayfield
THERE was a different feeling about the Mayfield club on Saturday even before the game got underway – there was a sense of optimism about the place as though the supporters and players alike knew something had changed.
It felt like the pressure had lifted and the lads knew that they could perform.
Whatever coaches Matt Calland and Sam Butterworth and the lads themselves had done, it had the desired effect.
Unfortunately, nobody had told the Thatto Heath side as Mayfield gifted them possession from the start and they grabbed a converted try, 0-6.
Undeterred and showing great strength of character, Mayfield fought back and good work from Paul Brearley saw him slip the ball to Liam Whalley who in turn found Lewis Sheridan who showed he has regained a bit of form as he weaved his way over for a Zac Baker coverted try, 6-6.
Two evenly matched sides contributed to an enthralling, brutal game.
Defences were on top and the only other first half score came from a Baker penalty, 8-6.
The second half saw Thatto pressurising the Mayfield line but resolute defence from Si Moore, Luke Fowden and Brearley kept them out.
It took something special to break the stalemate and this came from Brandon Wood who broke down the wing.
Quick play the balls allowed Ogden to ship the ball and Moore stepped up to storm through the defence for a great try, 12-6. sometimes
A Baker pen extended the lead to 14-6 before a lapse in the line allowed the visitors in, 14-10.
Thatto upped the pace trying to wear Mayfield down and they were unlucky as a Lewis Sheridan tackle stopped their flying winger in his tracks. Still, they managed to level the scores with ten minutes to go, 14-14.
Minutes later they undid their hard work, giving away a penalty for a high shot.
In a swirling wind not many fancied Baker for this one but he calmly slotted it over to reclaim the lead at 16-14.
Mayfield allowed the restart to bounce out and Thatto regained possession, pressuring the Mayfield line for a nail biting five minutes until Liam Whalley popped up with the ball sprinting 60 m before finding the supporting Butterworth who finished the move with class to seal the game and a very important two points. Baker added the extras to make the final score 22-14.
This was a hard fought win for a Mayfield side who were on the ropes but dug deep when they needed to and found that extra ten per cent that makes winners.
They know they are not in the clear but they have shown once again that they are a very good side when they play rugby.
There were some very good performances not least from Callum Marriott, Luke Fowden and a rejuvanated Si Moore in the forwards.
While in the backs the Sheridan brothers and Jack Sampson were industrious, but the MOM was split between Wayne English and Paul Brearley.
Wayne English, Jack Sampson, Brandon Wood, Liam Whalley, Lewis Butterworth, Paul Brearley, Lewis Sheridan, Simon Moore, Callum Ogden, Aidan Gleeson, Zac Baker, Callum Marriott, Luke Fowden, Dec Sheridan, Andy Taylor, Guillerme De Souza, James Connaughton.