Mansfield on cloud nine.
Nottinghamshire County Cup Semi Final
PAVIORS 15 MANSFIELD 53
Mansfield continued their return to winning ways and having clinched third place in the league avoided a cup upset against a well-fancied Paviors side with a skilful and powerful nine try performance to reach their fifth consecutive County Final.
Mansfield had the perfect start. Jones and Arnold following up a Davies chip to force a 5-yard line out and, after Pritchard’s catch, a drive with Roberts controlling the touch down. That settled nerves while Mansfield’s defence set about countering Paviors adventurous moves and the gale blowing down the pitch. Draycott merged tackling duties with some mazy runs from defence and Pike’s superb lineout play allowed veterans Buchanan and especially Calladine, playing like spring chickens, to develop rolling attacks at will and set up second phase ball for Roberts, Williams and Kirk.
Having restricted the home side to a solitary penalty for a quarter of territorial advantage Mansfield cashed in on an unnecessary hack forward from the kick off for Draycott to weave 40 yards forward, pop up to Buchanan who was held over the line. From the scrum Roberts broke and with support was able to feed Pritchard for the first of his two tries.
Mansfield, so clearly outgunning the home pack in the set pieces, found themselves without Pike for the final 10 minutes of the half but made light of it with Calladine’s sheer determination forcing try number three and Pritchard finishing off a Rutter led break carried on by Newbold, Jones and Storey. The skipper kicking into the gale converted one and hit the frame twice with first half conversion attempts.
The end of the half saw a piece of Australian magic in the middle of the pitch and a home try under the posts for a 22-10 lead for the Blue and Whites. With the wind now at their backs the pattern of Paviors desperately running from anywhere and Rutter dictating fast counter attacks or pinpoint kicks downfield was set.
Within five minutes the back row seized advantage from a Paviors scrum put in and Jones raced in, Rutter converting. On fifty minutes persistent Mansfield forward drives and Roberts stretched over, another Rutter conversion for 36-10. On the hour the pack drew in the home defence and Buck, constantly switching the direction of attack before the ball was spun wide for Draycott to run round behind the posts. Three more minutes and Storey, only stopped earlier by a blatant high tackle, put his name on the score sheet with Rutter again striking a post.
Ringing the changes Coach John Tasker introduced Wright who troubled with his running, Head for Newbold ensured no let up for the home front row and Waterhouse into the backs where his tackling and cool use of the boot kept Mansfield in the home half. Smith came on and forced errors in the Paviors back division before a Williams break found Arnold in support for the ninth try.
Once again Paviors sharp backs grabbing a consolation score rounded off the half. However, that could not take the gloss off a near perfect all round display that means that Mansfield’s season stretches out into a Cup Final meeting with Newark in fortnight’s time.
Mansfield III 34 v 10 Newark III
Mansfield III's entered the field of dreams on Saturday playing on the 1st team pitch and in the process secured the Third Team Pennant League title by overcoming they're closest rivals Newark 34-10.
Mansfield, keen to avenge their defeat at Newark earlier in the season, used the elements to their advantage in the first half scoring 4 tries without reply. However, it looked to be 'a game of two halves' when Newark scoring 2 tries with quick succession early in the second.
Mansfield raised their game, inspired by an awesome 30 yard run by new hooker Baz Davis, scoring in the corner. Mark Ellis, Matt Upton and Ant Garratt all saw powerful runs rewarded with tries and a rare try from dependable stalwart fly-half Troman, following a defence busting drive for the line was followed by a try from veteran scrum half Sugar Shaw. This rounded off a superb performance in the penultimate game of the season.
Mansfield 5th's 40 Ollerton 3rd's 0
For the 3rd week running, Mansfield Fifths were just too much for their opponents, a very committed and hard working Ollerton 3rd string. The ageing, experienced Mansfield pack, combined with the exciting talents of their young backs turned in a great 15 man performance which was expertly refereed by Elizabeth Wilkes, who stood in at short notice. Mansfield’s points came from tries by, Ashley Whitlestone (2), Craig Porter, Mark Searson, Ian Stewart landed one conversion and Man of the Match Steve Bonser’s 18 points from 2 tries and 4 conversions
Team Selection 26.4.03
Thirds Tupton I (Home) meet 2pm
FROM:
Cauldwell, Briggs, Davis, Prince, Mayfield, Repton, Hall, Toon, Hubbert, Ellis, Berryman, Shaw, Troman, Garratt, T.Smith, S.Wood, Hardwick, Irvin, Hughes, Moody, Denman, Jane
Mansfield 5th's team O.T.B.N.
Meet clubhouse at 1p.m. All players please report
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