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Mayfield 38 Hull Dockers 14

Mike Floyd
30/10/2007

ROCHDALE Mayfield cruised past Hull Dockers at Castleton Sports Centre to move into sixth place in the National Conference League premier division.

The 24-point winning margin could have been much greater if the home team had maintained their momentum for the full 80 minutes.

Matt Calland’s men seem to have a propensity for taking their foot off the gas when they have established a comfortable lead, and its an issue the Mayfield coach will be keen to address.

Mayfield were 12 points ahead within the first five minutes after Paul Rolls and Jonathan Muir had put the finishing touches to well worked moves. Steve Gartland converted both.

Dockers hit back, and Steve Sellars pounced when the Mayfield defence was slow to react to a neat grubber kick.

Mayfield’s response was almost immediate, as the outstanding Jonathan Muir sent Gartland racing through to score. Gartland added the extras.

Mistakes then crept in and a proliferation of knock-ons and forward passes invited Dockers back into the game.

They took advantage when Adam Charlesworth was awarded a penalty try after Rob Kershaw had been deemed to have ripped the ball out as the Hull winger dived for the line. Chris Stephenson tagged on the two.

On the stroke of half time Mayfield saw a chance go begging when Muir, who looked to be on his way to a try, chose to offload and the ball was spilled.

Any thoughts of a Dockers comeback were dispelled early in the second half when the Mayfield forwards combined to send Chris Brett crashing over the line. Mike Kaufman made it a six-pointer.

Eight minutes later Steve Wood seized onto a loose ball deep in his own half and he and Thomas Draper combined to send Kaufman clear.

Ryan Douglas was harshly sin-binned for a high tackle - Dockers having been penalised for four or five without the same result - and the visitors used the extra man to whip the ball wide for a try in the corner.

Mayfield then provided a fitting finale. Matt Calland and Komah Naumatua finished off scintillating moves to score a try apiece, Kaufman converting one of them.

Best on the day for Mayfield was Muir. His foraging runs and stern defence were a thorn in the Dockers’ side for the full 80 minutes.

MAYFIELD SQUAD: Komah Naumatua, Carl Abraham, Steve Wood, Matt Calland, Rob Kershaw, Thomas Draper, Paul Rolls, Josh Peacock, Janan Billings, Chris Brett, Jonathan Muir, Ryan Douglas, Steve Gartland, Mat Gartland, Mike Kaufman, Terry Whalley, David Chrimes.

ON Friday, Mayfield are holding a firework display at the club, start 7pm. The usual bonfire fare will be on offer.

Admission is free.

All welcome.