Mirfield Stags extend unbeaten run and top Pennine Championship table

Ben Mather was among the Mirfield Stags try scorers in Saturdays victory.

Richard Silverwood’s Stags, averaging close to 50 points for and little over 10 points against so far this season, picked up where they left off last time out as they swept aside another Championship Division rival.

Contrary to their summer league campaign, the Stags have made a habit of racing into early leads in the Pennine League and did so again against their namesakes at the Stainland Recreation Ground, crossing twice in the opening eight minutes.

In-form hooker Nathan Hadfield went over in the fourth minute, before scrum-half Jordan Anderson added a second try soon after.

Points-machine Ross Hayden converted both tries to give the visitors a 12-0 lead.

Stainland hit back in the 14th minute when stand-off Iliass Laachiri scored a try to reduce the gap to 12-4.

But two further tries from forwards Luke Manning and Wayne Jowett, who made his Yorkshire debut the following day, increased the Stags’ half-time advantage.

Hayden kept up his impeccable goal-kicking, converting both, to give his side a 24-4 lead at the break.

Returning front-rower Ben Mather was sin binned after 55 minutes, but it made no difference to the flow of the game and the Stags continued their domination with three second-half tries.

Hayden went over twice in a devastating six-minute spell either side of the hour mark, to take his season tally to six and to stretch the lead to 30 points.

Hayden went on to finish with an impressive haul of 20 points, as he converted six of the Stags seven tries.

Mather, making his first appearance of the winter season, made up for his earlier misdemeanour by charging over for the table-toppers’ final try of the afternoon.

Winger Will Jordan scored a late consolation try for the hosts, but, as a contest, the game was long since over and Mirfield march on.

Mirfield have won their opening four Championship games and face a cracking derby clash at home to Batley Boys on Saturday.

The Boys have won three of their opening four league matches and will look to put the Stags under pressure.

Dewsbury Moor aim to build on a 30-16 victory over Swillington a fortnight ago when they host East Leeds in Division Four East (ko 2pm).