Mansfield clear first hurdle
Notts., Lincs. & Derby Cup
MARKET RASEN 10 MANSFIELD 17
Mansfield fulfilled their billing as odds on favourites under the floodlights at Market Rasen, clearing the first hurdle as they seek to regain the Three Counties Cup. Despite very spirited resistance from a hard tackling and totally committed home side they won at a canter although never able to ease up in 80 action filled minutes.
The early exchanges showed the dominance of the Mansfield forwards in the set pieces and within two minutes Robinson had opened the scoring with a penalty after a move involving Arnold, Kirk and Roberts. With clean line out ball to build upon Buck prompted and probed round the scrum supported by Buchanan and Taylor. When he did release the three quarters quick handling opened a channel for Arnold and with the bit between his teeth he galloped in at the corner.
With the Market Rasen pack sliding back on their own ball Buck reacted quickest and was only prevented from going clear by a tackle off the ball. Robinson obliged with the penalty and the first quarter ended with Mansfield 11-0 ahead. Rushby’s incursions from centre created openings for the visitors but as the temperature dropped and fingers chilled so too the passes went to ground.
After Davies and Jones linked on half way Robinson was able to increase the lead before Mansfield’s defence had to hold out against a series of tapped 5-yard penalties. No joy for the home punters but immediately the second period began they opened their account with a penalty. An abrasive contest with too much turn over ball for the coaches liking dominated and despite Mansfield suffering a ten-minute spell a man down neither line was crossed. With eight minutes remaining Mansfield won a penalty on half way only for repeated arguing by the home side to see it moved three times, into the 22, and Robinson had no problem to put the Blue and Whites 17-3 ahead.
A final minute flourish, cashing in on a Mansfield knock on, gave just reward for the home sides performance on the night and the converted try added spice to the final run in. Mansfield kept a tight rein in stoppage time and play ended where it had been most of the night in the opposition’s half.
A satisfactory result but Mansfield will have to step up a gear if they are to make it three away wins in the week when they travel to Derby for their Intermediate Cup clash on Saturday, 1.45 kick off.
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