Tougher test awaits after cup progression
MAYFIELD ...................... 58 LOWCA .............................. 4
MAYFIELD progressed to the second round of the BARLA National Cup with a comfortable victory over a spirited Lowca side on Saturday.
The Cumbrians pulled out all the stops for their visit to Rochdale and came knowing they were massive underdogs, but that they were going to enjoy their day no matter what the score.
Mayfield dominated the Cumbrian League side from start to finish and the result was never in doubt. Home tries came from Mcdaid (3), Butterwoth 2, Mills 2, Parr 2, Wood 2, with Parr converting seven of the eleven for a personal tally of 22 points.
The forwards were very strong on the day with Cole Connolly and Dave Mills going strong while the backs revelled in the extra space as Dev Long and half back partner Sam Wright were just too good for the opposition, as were Jordan Parr and Lewis Butterworth.
There was also a useful return to the blue and white for Lewis Ainley. Most of the tries scored came through training field moves that are practiced every week which pleased the coaches.
This was a diversion from the main goal, the bread and butter, which has to be the league.
But Cup competitions are always welcome and a good run in any cup is a great morale booster for a club, not that that is needed at Mayfield at the moment as the club is buzzing at the moment.
The second round of the cup sees Mayfield drawn away at Pennine league One side Mirfield, tie to be played 25 May.
While the NCL side were winning their game the NWML team were also registering a comfortable win as they battled out a 46-22 victory against highly fancied Roose Pioneers.
Old stager Rob Kershaw weighed in with a brace of tries as the win took his team to the top of the table.
Coach Andy Reed was delighted with the performance and the way the team stuck to the task at hand.
This week sees the NCL side making the trip to St Helens to the Hattons
Solicitors Crusader Park where they face Thatto Heath. Like Mayfield the hosts were in the National cup last week where they scored a massive victory over Cockermouth Titans from the Cumbrian League.
So both teams had relatively easy run outs last week, but it’s back to reality today as they return to NCL Premier Division action.
By their own high standards Thatto are having a poor league season so far. With only two wins from six starts they lie in the bottom three.
That’s not a a position they are used to and they will be doing their best today to rectify that this afternoon.
Their last league fixture back in March saw them register a very good win against Wath Brow, so they are showing some signs of recovery.
Sam Butterworth’s Mayfield side are fourth in a very tight table where all four top teams could draw level on points today.
The standard of rugby so far has been outstanding and teams have got back to the level they were at before the covid disruption. Sam is hoping to have a couple of injuries
return to training this week to further bolster an already strong squad.
Reflecting on last week he said: “I was really happy to progress to round two but some areas of our game still need working on.
“This will be a much sterner test and to have any chance against a side like Thatto we will have to improve our completion rate, it was poor last week and the lad’s know this.
“Team selection this week will be tough, but that’s a problem it’s good to have.
“We go into this game like any other, knowing we are good enough to win but also that if we don’t perform the opposition will punish us.”
The NWML team entertain Wigan St Judes from division three in the NWML Trophy at the Mayfield Sports Centre.
Andy Reed’s side took the points last week from Roose and will go into this game looking to progress to the next round.
Reedy knows though that these games can be banana skins and will not be underestimating the opposition.
“Judes are mid table and as always with the Wigan sides, pull out a performance when required. Like Butterworth though,he knows his side have it in them to win through today.
Fixtures 04/05/24
NCL Prem Thatto Heath v Mayfield ko
2.30
NWML Trophy Mayfield v St Judes ko
2.30
Fixtures 05/05/24: U8s Blues home, U9s Blues home, U10s home, U12s home, U18s home