Warriors Cup final clash at Boundary Park

WITH three great wins on the bounce to their credit, Mayfield take a break from the NCL Premier division battle this week as they face Oldham rivals Waterhead

Warriors in the Oldham Standard Cup final.

The game is played this afternoon with a 12.30 kick off at the home of Oldham Athletic Football Club, Boundary Park.

This is a change from the normal Good Friday game at Oldham Rugby Unions Manor Park ground, so supporters please take note.

This afternoon’s opposition, Waterhead, play their rugby in Division 1 of the NCL, one level below Mayfield and currently have just one win from three league outings.

None of that will make a difference though as these two teams take to the field.

Everyone wants to take the scalp of a team from a higher division, add to that the fact that it is the Oldham Standard Cup and Mayfield are obviously the pride of Rochdale and you see that it is going to be one heck of a game with one heck of a rivalry.

There have been some epic battles between these two teams over the years, many of them in this very fixture.

It’s fair to say that over recent years Mayfield have generally had the upper hand but again the past counts for nothing especially in a local cup final.

This competition dates back to 1904 so there is plenty of history there and Mayfield hope to add their name once more to a trophy they have taken on numerous occasions.

Mayfield will have a strong squad available for this game as more players return from injury.

Coaches Sam Butterworth and Steve Wood are adamant though that they won’t be risking anyone who is not 100 per cent fit. Wood said: “We are dead set on winning this game as we always are, but we will not risk anyone who is not right.

“The league has to be our priority and there’s a long way to go.

“That said we are looking strong for today and are quietly confident of bringing the trophy back to Rochdale.”

Dec Sheridan, Nick Hargreaves and Gaz Ellison all missed out on selection last week for the York Acorn game but they will all be back in contention for a place in today’s final.

The game is repeat of last years final where

Dev Long picked up the MOM after a superb game in which he controlled the pace to suit his team and put in an indpired kicking performance which saw Mayfield finally edge out a spirited Waterhead side to lift the cup.

Oldham Standard Cup final, Mayfield v Waterhead Warriors ko 12.30 venue Boundary Park