Five-star Calland

Photo: PICTURES by ANTHONY MILLER

TOP MAN . . . Matt Calland receives the Ben Powell Trophy from Rugby Oldham’s Mike Kivlin.

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RUGBY: 

PLAYER-COACH Matt Calland rolled back the years as Rochdale Mayfield won back-to-back Napier Windows Standard Cups, at the expense of Saddleworth Rangers at Manor Park.

The 43 year old former Rochdale Hornets, Bradford Bulls and Featherstone Rovers centre scored FIVE tries in the 36-16 success, and so was an easy selection for the Ben Powell Trophy for the man-of-the-match.

It was a compelling contest, despite the scoreline, as Craig Farrimond’s Rangers side, one divison below Mayfield in the National Conference League, tried hard to conjure up a surprise in the final of the Oldham Amateur League-run competition.

Ben Whitehead gave Rangers an early two-point lead with a penalty, but a David Wood try and Lewis Sheridan conversion – the first of four successful kicks by the number six – put the holders in front.

Seta Taala extended Mayfield's lead after 21 minutes, before it became the Calland show.

Rangers were stunned as he scored two tries in the space of eight minutes, both improved by Sheridan, while Jack Holden mustered a try in return.

Ollie Kerr reduced the arrears to a dozen points four minutes after the restart, only for dominant Mayfield, courtesy of that man Calland, to reassert his side's authority.

His third try in the 48th minute and fourth 13 minutes later sealed Rangers’ fate. The latter was the pick of the fabulous five as he was roared home by both sets of supporters after intercepting the ball inside his own 20-metre line.

Ethan Langhorn then dived in for Rangers – Whitehead added the extras – before star-performer Calland fittingly had the last laugh by completing his nap hand.