Rochdale Mayfield claimed the 2016 Conference Challenge Trophy with a dramatic 24-20 win over Hunslet Club Parkside at Manchester Regional arena on Grand Final day.
Parkside, the Division 2 champions who felled Trophy holders Leigh Miners Rangers in round one, led 20-18 in the dying minutes, but a last-second try sent the Mayfield fans into raptures.
In front of Conference Challenge Trophy record crowd of 1,287 the game was preceeded by a moment's applause in celebration of the life of Steve Gartland, and Mayfield made the perfect start as Zac Hartley notched a penalty goal.
Hunslet's Jamie Fields hit back with a penalty of his own, before Josh Murphy followed up a stunning knock-down after a crossfield kick.
Mayfield edged back ahead as Paul Brearley rumbled over, Hartley with the goal to make it 10-6.
The north west outfit then increased their lead on the stroke of half time as 45-year-old player-coach Matt Calland stormed in from 25 metres out, and they led 14-6 at the break.
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Playing in the shadows of Manchester City's Etihad Stadium, Parkside knew they needed a response, and they got it as Jack Carvill carved his way through a gap to go over, Fields converting.
Fields then notched a penalty goal and it was all square with 25 minutes to play.
Within minutes, Omar Alrawi's try after a clever chip over the top put Hunslet ahead, Fields with the extras.
Mayfield were on the ropes and suffered a setback as Munya Samanyaya was dismissed, but kept their composure as Hough kicked two penalty goals in quick succession, that reduced the margin to just two points with ten minutes left.
12-man Mayfield were doing all they could to regain the lead, but Hunslet's defence stood firm.
That was until Sean Watkins' late heroics sparked remarkable celebrations for the Mayfield fans.
Hunslet Club Parkside: 1. Luke O'Malley, 2. Omar Alwari, 3. Dale Harris, 4. Ricky Mazzwood, 5. Danny Harrison, 6. Andrew Hullock, 7. Chris Boyce, 18. Wayne Foster, 9. Josh Murphy, 10. Jamie Fields, 11. Kieran Murphy, 12. Michael Waite, 13. Craig Miles.
Subs: 14. Ben Thorpe, 17. Jack Carvill, 16. Mark Stubley, 8. Lewis Buxton.
Rochdale Mayfield: 1. Lewis Sheridan, 2. Munya Samanyaya, 3. Rhys Carruth, 4. Matt Calland, 5. Lee Registe, 6. Zac Baker, 7. Zac Hartley, 8. James Shaw, 9. Callum Ogden, 10. Simon Moore, 11. Chris Hough, 12. Callum Marriott, 13. Paul Brearley.
Subs: 14. Declan Sheridan, 15, Sean Watkins, 16. Seta Taala, 17. Adie Gleeson.
