Rochdale Observer

Entertaini­ng the division’s dark horses

- IAN KERSHAW FIXTURES 23/03/24 NCL Prem Mayfield v York Acorn ko 2.30 NWML d2 Leigh Miners v Mayfield ko 2.30

AFTER last week’s convincing win on the road at Castleford, Mayfield hope to carry on their winning ways as they entertain the division’s ‘dark horses’ York Acorn.’

After an inauspicio­us season in 2023, when they only had nine wins and finished in the bottom half of the table, Acorn lit up their season with a brilliant run in the Betfred Challenge Cup which saw them beat Orrell St James, Cornwall and Wath Brow. They began their league campaign last week with a home win against Kells.

As always, Mayfield will go into this game playing their own style of rugby and will be confident, as long as they stick to the plan, that they will pick up another two important points.

There are some tough decisions to be made for the coaches this week as several players come back into contention for a place in the team.

Dec Sheridan, Lewis Butterwort­h, Zac Baker, Sean Slater, Joe Taira and Nick Hargreaves have all declared themselves fit.

Seven quality players wanting to force their way into a team that that has just won convincing­ly away from home.

That’s the kind of problem coaches dream of.

Sam Butterwort­h and Steve Wood will sit down after training this week and go through their options.

No decision will be taken lightly and all will be done with the interest of the team at heart.

Andy Reed and Craig White take their

NWML side down the East Lancs Road to face Leigh Miners.

Courtesy of a cry off last week, Mayfield now sit top of the league with two wins from two games while Miners have yet to pick up a point after defeats at West Bank and Hindpool.

Reed knows this means nothing though, as anyone in rugby league will tell you – there are no easy games at Miners’ ground. With so many players ready to return to the first team, Andy is looking forward to having a strong side out today and will be confident they can pick up another win.

 ?? ?? ●●Nick Hargreaves
●●Nick Hargreaves
 ?? ?? ●●Dec Sheridan
●●Dec Sheridan

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