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Rochdale Mayfield 26 Skirlaugh 50

27/ 9/2008

ROCHDALE Mayfield lost a high scoring encounter against Skirlaugh at Castleton Sports Centre last Saturday.

Both sides started nervously, but the visitors took the lead from a penalty converted by Lee Waterman.

On 14 minutes a high bomb was taken by Naumatua who powered through to the Skirlaugh 35 metre line. From the play the ball Todd O’Brien fired a pass to Eric Johnson who hoisted out a long ball to Rob Kershaw for him to score out wide.

A powerful run by Carl Abraham set up Naumatua for a try, converted by O’Brien.

Mayfield were now on top and Grant Bithell’s huge up and under was bagged by Jonathon Petty for a try.

Skirlaugh responded when Mark Spence shrugged off several weak tackles to gallop 50 metres and score. Waterman converted.

With half time beckoning Skirlaugh’s fullback Jordan Precious kicked for the right-hand corner for Danny Moss to catch and score. Waterman added the extras to level the scores.

Two minutes into the second half the visitors appeared to lose the ball forward, but Brett Waller picked it up and crashed over the line to score. Waterman tagged on the two.

Two more tries followed, from Chris Brown and Waterman, both converted by the latter to give the visitors a 32-14 lead. In an eight minute spell the complexion of the game had changed.

Mayfield did have several chances to claw back some points, but wrong options, dropped balls, and kicks that failed to penetrate proved their undoing.

Skirlaugh stretched their lead when Carl Pickering fired the ball to Sean Wildbore who dived over. Waterman slotted over the conversion.

From a short restart Simon Moore rose high to retrieve the ball. It was heaved right to Steve Wood who shot in low at the corner. O’Brien converted from wide.

Any thoughts of a comeback were dispelled when Mark Spence went through a tired looking Mayfield defence for a six-pointer, and Waterman crashed over for his second try which he converted.

The last word went to Mayfield as Petty powered over with three minutes to go and O’Brien kicked the two.

Mayfield’s man of the match was Steve Wood.

The match was sponsored by Murphy’s Transport, Rochdale.

It doesn’t get any easier as Mayfield travel to face Wigan St Judes today in the National Conference League premier division.

St Judes have won two from five this season.

Mayfield will need to stiffen up their defence which has conceded 144 points in five games, an average of 29. They have scored 105, which is very respectable but, on balance isn’t good enough.

Players should meet at the club at 12.30pm.

Mayfield NWC are at home to Widnes Moorfield in the Lancashire Cup, kick-off 2pm. The Academy entertain Elland A, kick-off 2.30pm.