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Draper hat-trick in Mayfield rout

Mike Floyd
28/11/2006

Rugby League
Rochdale Mayfield 68
East Leeds 16

ROCHDALE Mayfield bounced back from last week's shock defeat at Thatto Heath in tremendous style, with a 12-try demolition of East Leeds at Castleton Sports Centre on Saturday.

The home team started slowly though and were punished in the seventh minute, East Leeds loose forward Simon Price scoring from close-range. Joe Sheldrake converted.

Mayfield hit back as lively hooker Janan Billings sold an outrageous dummy to slice through and score.

The try was the signal for the floodgates to open and it became one-way traffic as Mayfield turned on the style.

Steve Gartland scored a fine try, after some good interplay with scrum half Tommy Draper, who scored moments later after a good break by centre Matt Calland.

Further tries by Steve Gartland and Matt Gartland gave the locals a 30-6 interval lead.

Any thoughts of Mayfield taking their foot off the gas were quickly dispelled as, within two minutes of the restart, Matt Calland scooted in from 20 yards to touch down

Five minutes later, East Leeds scrum half Gary Jukes misdirected a kick close to Mayfield's line and home winger Jonathan Petty collected the ball from the in-goal area and beat his man.

He slipped the ball to Calland who offloaded to Tommy Draper who was hauled down on halfway.

A quick play-the-ball and second rower Sam Wynn whipped a fine pass out to Matt Gartland who raced clear to score.

Mayfield were in confident mood and winger Lepani Fugawai scored another try in the corner from the next play.

Tommy Draper scored his second try of the game, before the resilient East Leeds showed their mettle as stand off John Carter scored a try. Sheldrake added the extras.

Winger Andy Chandler scored another try for the visitors, but this urged Mayfield on to better things.

Ian Sampson scored after some fine handling, and Draper to completed his hat trick. Petty slotted over his 10th successful kick.

With minutes of the game left, David Chrimes provided the icing on the cake as he crashed over out wide.

Coach Steve Gartland was in pleased with his team's performance and hopes they will continue in the same vein when they travel to Leigh East on Saturday.

Rochdale Mayfield: Matt Gartland, Jonathan Petty, Chris Hilton, Matt Calland, Lepani Fugawai, Steve Gartland,Tommy Drape, Dave Harmer, Janan Billings,Tony Hilton, Sam Wynn, Andy Gray, Ben Butterworth, Neil Ramsden, Ben Simpson, Ian Sampson, Dave Chrimes.

East Leeds: Paul Hasty, Andy Chandler, Joe Sheldrake, Jason Gray, Neil Freer, John Carter, Gary Jukes, Lee Fisher, Dave Green, Ryan Angus, Maurice Mayne, Glean Holroyd, Simon Price, Thomas Bowland, Nathan Peters, Danny Gray, Tom Idle.