In the National Conference League Premier Division Heworth were not able to maintain their recent good form and fell to a disappointing 32-14 defeat at fourth placed Rochdale Mayfield. The Villagers trailed 18-4 at the break and 26-4 after 65 minutes before a late flourish produced two touchdowns to prevent what was looking like a runaway victory by the hosts.
Heworth started strongly, forcing errors from their opponents and completing their sets to create some good field position which led to them going in front on 6 minutes when a slick passing movement sent young debutant winger Zac Towse over by the right corner flag for an unconverted try. The Villagers kept up the pressure and should have increased their advantage after 20 minutes when more good handling created an overlap on the left edge but the final pass went to ground and the chance went begging. Suddenly, basic errors started to creep in and Heworth's impressive defensive qualities which have been evident all season were found wanting which created a huge shift in momentum in favour of the hosts who capitalised to post a hat trick of tries from centre Max Riseham, all of which were converted by full back Jordan Parr for an 18-4 interval lead.
Any hopes of a comeback by the Black and Whites were soon extinguished when Mayfield added touchdowns by centre Noah Laughton and second rower Travis Long on 47 and 65 minutes respectively to make it 26-4. The Villagers, to their credit, kept plugging away and three minutes later their efforts were rewarded when a short ball from the returning Callum Rutland sent stand off Danny Allan striding through a gap to touch down for a well worked score. On 73 minutes home substitute forward Dakota Tolhurst crossed for another Parr goaled effort. It was Heworth though who had the last word when loose forward Jack Earl followed up to touch down a neat grubber kick from Rutland who also added the extras but it proved scant consolation and Mayfield ran out comfortable 32-14 winners.
Zac Towse took the Man of the match award for the Villagers.
Next Saturday a piece of history for amateur rugby league in the City will be created when Heworth make the short trip across the river to take on fierce local rivals York Acorn at Thanet Road. Kick off 2.30p.m. It will be the first time ever that the two Clubs have faced each other in the Premier Division of the National Conference League since it was formed in 1986 when the Villagers became the inaugural winners of the flagship competition.
Match report- Dave Ward
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