The National Conference League Premier Division Play-Offs began on Saturday with Rochdale Mayfield in imperious form against York Acorn.
Acorn, who won their place in the Play-Offs with victory in their final league game, were missing some of their most consistent and experienced players due to a wedding, and it showed, while Rochdale Mayfield, have enjoyed another largely consistent season and finished third in the final table.
Acorn proved no match for a Mayfield team that were quick out of the blocks and led 22-0 after just 20 minutes.
Cole Connolly, who returned to Rochdale Mayfield following stints in the professional ranks with Cornwall and Salford, started the rout with the first try two minutes in, and later scored a second try and kicked eight goals in a busy performance.
Acorn forced an error from the kick-off and won a drop-out, but Rochdale Mayfield kicked short and Dakota Tolhurst rose highest to retake possession. From there, the hosts advanced downfield and Connolly supported.
Just two minutes after that try, Mayfield were celebrating again when James McDaid broke from inside his own half and blazed 60 metres.
A quick-fire double from Harry Ratcliffe had Mayfield in complete control and by the half-hour mark, Rochdale had two more tries to their tally after Deacon Connolly added the finishing touches to an attacking scrum play on the left and Travis Long supported brother Devlin after the halfback scampered through the middle.
Now trailing 34-0, Acorn rallied with fullback Ryan Gallacher and winger Aaron Thompson getting forward, while their pack also started to get a foot hold thanks to some hard work from the likes of Nathan Welsh, Lewis Lord and particularly Isaac Coleman. No further tries came for the remainder of the first half and the visitors created the opening score of the second half when from a Coleman break, Alfie Crawford followed up in support and Nathan Hammerton goaled.
Normal service resumed for Rochdale Mayfield after 62 minutes when Coleman scored his second try and booted a sixth goal and the hosts finished strongly in the Autumn sunshine with Harry Sheridan getting in ten minutes from the end. Travis Long added his second try in the last minute for Connolly to convert brilliantly from wide on the right and complete his 32-point haul and confirm a 52-6 success.
In the second Premier Division elimination semi-final, Hunslet welcomed Craig McShane back from suspension and won through 24-12 against Wath Brow Hornets.
Division One still has to complete its league programme and in the penultimate round of games there were wins for already promoted Waterhead and Leigh Miners Rangers. Ince Rose Bridge and Dewsbury Moor Maroons both enjoyed victories in high-scoring games to cement their play-off positions, but there are still three teams that could claim the other two spots.
Wigan St Pats had a big win over Crosfields. They will take on Clock Face Miners on Wednesday in a replay of their match that was abandoned due to a serious injury a couple of weeks ago. At the same time, Crosfields and Oulton Raiders will both watch on with interest with Crosfields facing Hull Dockers on Saturday and Oulton hosting Wigan St Patricks in the final games to decide the make-up of the play-offs.
Division Two's Play-Offs went the way of the hosts as Dewsbury Celtic and Oldham St Annes won through with successes over Thornhill Trojans and Normanton Knights respectively, while the Division Three promotion decider will be between Distington (who beat Leigh East) and Drighlington who beat Beverley 64-22.
By Dave Parkinson
