We made the perfect start to our summer season, securing our place in the last eight of the League Cup, with victory away at Fryston on Saturday.
New signings Tom Riley, Oliver Davidson, Lewis Martin and Joe Sladek were named in head coach Shaun Lunt’s 17 as we looked for a little revenge following defeat in the Pennine League decider six weeks ago.
We hit the front through Martin’s fine individual effort early in the contest. The half-back chipped forward and juggled before dotting down for a great try to mark his return to the club.
Casey Canterbury also crossed in the first half after a quick break down the left flank. Dom Horn kicked two from two to keep the scoreboard ticking over, but we were peggged back as Fryston capitalised on mistakes to cross for two tries of their own.
The hosts then hit the front, but we’d head into the break in front after Rob Jones’ offload sent Canterbury over for his second. Horn hit the conversion once more, making it 16-18 to Mirfield at half-time.
Fryston snatched back the lead early after the restart with an opportunistic interception, but Horn wrestled his way over for a crucial equalling score, before a flowing left to right move created the opportunity for Riley to step back inside to win it for Mirfield.
The latter two kicks were missed, but Mirfield had done enough to hold on for a big win that lays the platform for this Saturday’s Division One league opener away at Bradford Dudley Hill.
We’d like to thank Fryston for their hospitality and wish them all the best for their upcoming YML Premier Division campaign.