Rochdale Mayfield 44 v 38 Leigh Miners

It was the same old story for Leigh Miners again on Saturday afternoon, producing a poor performance away from Twist Lane to drop out of the top six into seventh after going down 44-38 at Rochdale Mayfield.

Miners where dreadful in the first half, rarely touching the ball in the opening twenty minutes as they was blown away by a Mayfield side who started the game excellently scoring four tries under the sticks in the opening twenty minutes. The tries coming from Joe Quanici, two from Lewis Sheridan and Aidie Gleeson, Sam Butterworth converting all four goals to make it 24-0. Miners hit back just after the twenty minute mark with a try from Martin Gray on their first real attack, Shaun Dowie converting to make it 24-6. Not long after though Mayfield scored again, stand off Paul Brearley going through some very slack defence to score at the side of the posts, Butterworth converting to make it 30-6. Scott O'Brien scored right on half time for Miners, Dowie converting to reduce the deficit to eighteen points with the score at 30-12 going into the half time break.

The second half started with a try for the visitors, Connor Ratcliffe darting over from dummy half to score at the side of the post, Dowie again adding the extras to make it 30-18. The good start was short lived though as Miners lost possession from the kick off and conceded two quick fire tries, Dave Wood and Eric Johnson scoring for the home side to put them well in control, leading 40-18. Miners hit back again on fifty five minutes with a converted Gareth Paine try in the left corner and their cause was further boosted when Mayfield player coach Matt Calland was sent off for a high tackle on the hour, taking full advantage of the extra man with Scott O'Brien scoring two tries in two minutes to complete his hat-trick and make the score 40-34. Against the run of play Mayfield full back Lewis Sheridan completed his hat-trick with ten minutes remaining before opposite number Andrew Groves went over to make it 44-38. Miners thought they was going to have a chance of snatching a point right on full time when Brad Hargreaves went over, but with the referee overruling the touch judge the try was disallowed and the game ended in another disappointing away defeat for the men from Twist Lane.

Miners are at home this weekend against Wigan St Pats in the quarter final of the Conference Challenge Trophy.

MINERS TEAM = Andrew Groves, Jimmy Muir, Brad Hargreaves, Connor Partington, Gareth Pain, Shaun Dowie, Scott O’Brien, Matt Astley, Danny Jones, Darryl Kay, Tommy Parkinson, Danny Jackson, Mick O’Boyle, Subs = Connor Ratcliffe, Martin Gray, Ellis Grimes, Chris Bowers

MINERS MOM = Scott O'Brien

MAYFIELD TEAM = Lewis Sheridan, Seta Tala, David Wood, Matt Calland, Rob Kershaw, Paul Brearley, Sam Butterworth, Callum Marriott, Todd O’Brien, Jake Boardman, Liam Whalley, Eric Johnson, Joe Quanici, Subs = Declan Sheridan, Ben Butterworth, Aidie Gleeson, Luke Sampson

MAYFIELD MOM = Lewis Sheridan

Leigh Miners 2nd team remain unbeaten in the league after comfortably beating Accrington Panthers away, 64-12.

The u18s won by 30-12 away at Woolston Rovers on Sunday in the league.