Rugby League

National Conference League

Premier Division

Saturday 10th June 2023

Kick Off 14.30

Rochdale Mayfield 50 Thatto Heath Crusaders 26, attendance 410

@ Mayfield Sports Centre

Keswick Street

off Heywood Road

Castleton

OL11 3AG

£3 Admission

No Programme.

Having stopped overnight at Winwick, just north of Junction 9 of the M62, it was an easy half hour drive to do the 25 miles to Castleton, just south west of Rochdale. As with last night, it was a ground I had already visited for football. It was previously the home of Castleton Gabriels F.C. who I had seen draw 2-2 versus Chadderton in a North West Counties League Division 2 match here back on 26th October 1999. In those days it was known as Butterworth Park. It is a cracking old ground, that oozes character and was a very pleasant place to spend an afternoon in baking sun, overlooking the moors on the far side of the ground. Good to see a crowd in excess of 400 too, as second in the table Rochdale Mayfield (won 9 lost 1) hosted sixth placed Thatto Heath Crusaders (won 5 lost 6).

It was a comfortable win for Mayfield. They led 12-0 before Thatto Heath scored their first points of the day with a try that pulled it back to 12-4, but by halftime Mayfield had increased their lead to 28-4. The second half was much more even and actually finished 22-22, but the damage had already been done and Mayfield deservedly held on for the win. They remain second in the league table, behind leaders Hunslet on points difference, but they do have a game in hand on the leaders.

The journey back south was uneventful, with traffic surprisingly light.