For their money in Cup encounter
was stopped just short but managed to offload to Paul Brearley, who in turn found Zac Hartley on the left and the halfback sold a neat dummy and sliced through for a try.
Hartley converted for 6-30 and Mayfield had a foot hold in the game closing the half the stronger and finally showing that, given the chance, they could match the professionals.
That chance was taken away in the first minute of the second half though, as the officials immediately sin binned two Mayfield players for a late hit then a high tackle – offences that before, and after, had seen much lighter penalties for both sides.
The home side made light of the two man deficit though, and conceded just one try, from a slip in defence right on the line. When back to equal numbers Mayfield more than matched their opponents.
On 60 minutes Lewis Sheridan took advantage of great work from brother Declan and Watkins, the latter making up for his earlier indiscretion, to score in the left corner. Hartley converted for 12-36.
The large home support hoped for the impossible comeback, but Barrow put paid to that with a try from an unfortunate dropped ball on a Mayfield exit set. At 12-40 with only 10 minutes left, the game had gone, but Mayfield closed the gap as Hartley intercepted in his own half and raced 60 metres to score a try he converted himself for 18-40.
Barrow finished off the scoring with a try and goal in the dying seconds but Mayfield players and fans were happy with their efforts, if not the application - and know they’ll have another crack at the professionals in a weeks time. Best for Mayfield was full back Lewis Sheridan but he was pushed close by captain Paul Brearley, forwards Callum Marriott and James Shaw and livewire hooker Declan Sheridan.
Lewis Sheridan. Kieran Harmer, Matty Ashton, Matty Chrimes, Komai Naulatua. Paul Brearley, Zac Hartley, James Shaw, Callum Ogden, Simon Moore, Sean Watkins, Callum Marriott, Seta Tala. Declan Sheridan, Jimmy Connaughton, Nick Hargreaves, Cameron Connolly.
Mayfield face Saddleworth Rangers in the Oldham Standard Cup semi final at Mayfield tonight (Wednesday) kick off 7.30pm.