Mirfield Stags extend unbeaten run to six games

Ross Haydens conversion proved the difference between the sides in Saturdays Pennine League clash.

The Bradford hosts represented the Stags’ greatest challenge so far this season and it came down to a resilient defensive display from Richard Silverwood’s men, after Mirfield took an early lead.

Their eventual success means the Stags are now the only team boasting a 100 percent record in the Championship and are four points clear at the top of the table.

It was perhaps a game more eventful for the wrong reasons as a series of disagreements resulted in the match official producing red and yellow cards on several occasions.

The first cards were shown to Mirfield’s Phil Shotton and Queensbury’s Jack Evison as they followed each other to the sin-bin.

Shortly after, a spell of Stags pressure was rewarded as Braden Hunter pounced on an inch-perfect Jordan Anderson kick to touch down.

Ross Hayden stepped up to add the extras, in spite of strong winds and driving rain.

The referee then ordered Stags interchange Richard Casanove and home opposite Jimmy Simpson from the field, following a scuffle in the middle of the park.

Early in the second half, the home side came back into the game courtesy of an Andy Walker try.

Vitally for the Stags, however, the Queensbury kicker was unable to add the extras – keeping the visitors ahead.

Walker was later sent to the sin-bin for a heavy tackle on Hayden, which resulted in a match-ending injury for the Mirfield full-back.

No more points would be scored, though, as both teams struggled to make sufficient breakthroughs in the horrendous conditions.

The home side appeared more likely to score, mounting huge pressure on the Stags line and they went close on several occasions.

But Mirfield held firm for more than a quarter of an hour of endless onslaughts, sealing a sixth-successive Championship triumph for the Pennine League newcomers.

The Stags will fancy their chances of racking up a seventh straight win as they are due to welcome Brotherton Bulldogs to Hillrich Park on Saturday (kick off 2pm).

Brotherton have only won one game this season and lie second-bottom in the table, although they gave a good account of themselves when going down 26-20 at home to second placed King Cross Park last week.