31 Jul 2023

Rochdale Mayfield Claim Fightback Win in Premier Division Clash at York Acorn

Rochdale Mayfield collected their 12th win of the season at York Acorn, eventually getting over their potential play-off rivals in an incident-packed game broadcast by Our League on Saturday afternoon.

Mayfield opened the scoring after five minutes when scrum-half Devlin Long linked with half-back partner Sam Wright and his change of direction took him past two defenders to the line. Hooker Cole Connolly goaled and it was 6-0.

The hosts got themselves on the board in the 25th minute when Alfie Crawford and scrum-half Matt Chilton combined and Jordan Potter had too much strength for the defence to contend with. In the teeth of a difficult breeze, Chilton couldn't goal and it was 6-4.

The visitors thought they had claimed a try when substitute Nicolas Hargreaves went over from close range, but the effort was disallowed for a forward pass.

Mayfield substitute Joe Taira had only been on the field a couple of minutes when he was sinbinned for running in on an incident that resulted in a penalty for the hosts. Four minutes later the hosts pushed within range on the back of sprightly work from Crawford and a big charge from Isaac Coleman. On the next play stand-off, Tim Elliott cleverly disguised his pass and Eddie Prescott split the defence to get under the posts in glorious style. Chilton's conversion made it 10-6.

Seconds before the break, Chilton was tackled late after launching a clearance kick downfield. Referee Ben Brocklehurst had little hesitation in awarding the penalty and Chilton stepped up to add two points that were awarded by the referee after both touch judges signaled it had missed, much to the bemusement of most looking on. The hosts led 12-6 at half-time.

Experienced Wayne English was tackled into touch for Rochdale Mayfield in the opening stages of the new half before Prescott was sinbinned after 45 minutes for a high tackle on Kristian McVeigh. Despite being a man down, York Acorn continued to be on top, winning field position and Mayfield were desperate when the otherwise impressive Jack McConachie held down for too long and Chilton stepped up to add his third goal and open an eight-point advantage.

Acorn continued to remain on top in the contest with both sides having their moments of struggle with the prevailing breeze.

It took a flashpoint after 60 minutes to ignite Rochdale Mayfield. Visiting prop Simon Moore lashed out in a challenge before headbutting Eddie Prescott who struck him back. Following the fracas both players were dismissed.

Initially, neither Acorn or Mayfield could get their act together but within a couple of minutes it was the visitors that seemed to settle back into the groove. With Sam Wright increasingly influential, he stepped back to the inside and raced through only to be caught ten metres out, then he moved into the next play to take the ball from livewire Declan Sheridan and fired a great pass right for McVeigh to go in. That score went unconverted by Devlin Long, and it was 14-10. The Mayfield scrum-half was on target a few minutes later when Sheridan went from dummy half and McConachie followed him up in the 72nd minute for a narrow 14-16 advantage.

Four minutes later Wright took matters into his own hands with a change of direction to burrow between two defenders for his second try. Long missed the conversion, and just as the game moved into the final minute the ball broke loose from Dakota Tolhurst, was played at by Acorn, and Luke Fowden reacted quickest to scoop up and drive over the line. Connolly added his second goal before the final whistle as Mayfield continue to apply pressure to Hunslet ARLFC, Wath Brow Hornets, and West Hull at the top of the Premier Division.

Elsewhere in the top division, Thatto Heath put in one of their more complete performances of the season to shut out Leigh Miners Rangers 32-0, on Friday evening, Siddal moved into range of a play-off position with a 32-18 success at Wigan St Patricks, West Hull claimed a 30-22 win over Wath Brow in a pulsating game while Hunslet ARLFC were made to work hard before eventually shaking off the challenge of Lock Lane, 20-8, while Kells enjoyed a handsome 66-12 win over Hull Dockers.

On Friday night Heworth continued their impressive promotion push with a 42-22 home success over Stanningley in Division One, while on Saturday leaders West Bowling are one win away from confirming promotion to the Premier Division with a hard-fought 20-22 success at battling Clock Face Miners. Crosfields enjoyed a 34-22 win over play-off chasing Skirlaugh, but remain three points off the play-offs with four games remaining. Oulton Raiders saw off Ince Rose Bridge 34-24, while Egremont Rangers remain in second, winning 44-30 at Thornhill Trojans who will play in Division One next season after their sixteenth loss in seventeen games this year.

Waterhead Warriors title hopes in Division Two took a real leap forward after they beat second-placed Dewsbury Moor Maroons 36-10. The Oldham side are two points clear with two games in hand of their nearest challengers. Woolston Rovers continued their own push for the play-offs with a 38-24 success at East Leeds, with Normanton and Barrow Island sharing a 10-10 draw.
A real scramble to avoid relegation is starting to develop with Myton Warriors winning 29-10 at Wigan St Judes and Saddleworth Rangers defeating Milford 32-24. Rangers currently sit in the relegation zone with 12 points, Myton one point above them in 9th and St Judes now in 18th with 14 points.

It was also an interesting weekend in Division Three with Oldham St Annes strengthening their position at the top of the section with a 30-12 win at Seaton Rangers. Drighlington produced a superb performance to defeat second-placed Ellenborough Rangers 25-24 while Leigh East completed their home campaign with a solid 36-12 success over Bentley. Beverley also enjoyed home comforts with a hard-won 25-16 win over Millom with Eastmoor Dragons also getting a victory over Hensingham 22-16.

There is a further NCL broadcast on Our League next Saturday when Rochdale Mayfield host West Hull in what promises to be a blockbuster encounter at the top end of the Premier Division (2:30 pm kick-off).

Here is next weekend's programme in full.
Fixtures
FRI 4TH AUGUST 2023
Division Three