Last gasp heartache for Mansfield
Powergen Intermediate Cup
MANSFIELD 26 LEICESTER LIONS 31
A full blooded cup tie, eight tries, the lead changing hands eight times and in cruel circumstances under dogs Mansfield losing their way on the Twickenham trail. Yet the Blue and Whites came through fully aware that a move up into Midlands One will hold no tremors as they competed with one of that division’s promotion contenders as equals.
Two cup ties, identical incidents 12,000 miles, six hours and a technology apart gave very different outcomes on Saturday. New Zealand were denied a score at a pivotal moment of their semi final with the Wallabies as a plunging dive in the corner was ruled out for insufficient control of the ball over the line. Fast forward to Mansfield, the last action of regulation time and a Leicester Lion with no more control than the Kiwi and the corner flag snatched the final score in a 57 point thriller.
A lightning start for Mansfield with Rutter returning the kick off with interest, a turn over forced by the forwards and Jones, Newbould, Rutter and Robinson combining to send Storey in for a try. Short lived joy as Lions responded with a drive into the 22 and expansive backs play, first left then across to the right and a converted try. Latecomers were to be even more surprised as the next long kick from Robinson gave Kirk and Davies the chance to open the heart of the visitors defence, win a penalty and watch Rutter make it 8-7 in eight minutes of play.
Despite both sides finding pressure on their own put in Roberts and Newton contrived to send Arnold on a well angled run. With Leicester feeling uncomfortable it was Holmes and Stringfellow harrying mistakes behind the scrum and Newbould powerful in support to touch down and give Rutter an easy conversion.
The skipper then chipped cleverly to give Storey a half break but the helter-skelter first quarter was rounded off by more slick movement from the Lions’ backline to reduce the lead to three points. Surprisingly that remained the score to the interval. Despite Pike giving Mansfield so much clean line out ball and Wilson pinning the Leicester team back deep in their half neither Jones, the Plough Inn, Farnsfield Man of the Match nor a break from debutant Slinn could add to the lead.
The advantage could easily have been reversed without the defensive qualities of Jones with big midfield hits and Roberts intervening on Mansfield’s line before ensuring Mansfield were in the opponents half. The big number eight, recipient of some unwarranted off the ball activity from the clearly shaken visiting second row, had the first part to play after the break. His pick up and drive was only stopped at the expense of a penalty stroked over by Rutter.
Again Jones tackled the Lions to a standstill, Holmes and Slinn provided heroics on the Mansfield line and Arnold broke half the length of the field. The pressure finally told and on fifty five minutes a well worked interchange of passes provided the Lions with a try under the posts and the seven points needed to retake the lead. It lasted all of two minutes as Mansfield regained their kick off, Pike forced a Mansfield scrum and then a penalty for Rutter to make it 21-19.
As the final quarter and tired limbs beckoned the Leicester forwards made the most of a tapped penalty and a drive and conversion that they believed had seen Mansfield off. Far from it they were relieved to see a long range penalty fall the wrong side of the post and in a desperate scramble Mansfield knock on over the line. As the moments were counted down Kirk and a mighty Mansfield shove took Lions’ ball against the head, Roberts and Davies moved play away and Storey streaked home. The conversion was just short but with both sides making exhaustion and tension induced errors it did seem extra time would decide the outcome.
One more twist in the tale. With a chance to end the game Mansfield elected instead for a Barbarian style Glory or Bust tap penalty on their 22. Loose ball ensued, a desperate dive, no television official to refer to and the Lions of Leicester and not the Blue and Whites were in the bag for Round Four.
“As the soccer mangers say we can concentrate on the League now” commented John Tasker with a wry smile. ”We learnt a lot out their today, disappointing to lose any game and in extra time I’m sure we could have won but despite being below full strength we competed with one of the better sides in Midlands One.” Depending on arrangements for the World Cup Final Mansfield should be making the short trip to Nottingham Moderns this Saturday looking to maintain that promotion challenge.
Mansfield 2nd XV faced Nottingham University II which could turn out to be the the league decider. In a game where the lead changed hands nine times, Mansfields experienced pack completely dominated, winning virtually all of the scrummages even on the students ball. However every time the spritely University backline received the ball they were capable of scoring and did so with counter attacks from deep within their half. However the hard, straight running of the Mansfield pack led by Saunders and Maddocks was to much for the young lighter University pack and Mansfield emerged victorious 34 - 29.
Late replacements Derby Vets found Mansfield Thirds in inhospitable mood as they ran away 62-0 winners.
Mansfield U14's triumphed 22 - 5 in the second round of the NLD Cup after another long journey into Lincolnshire to play at Market Rasen. A very close first period saw Mansfield and Rasen battle it out in the middle of the park, with Mansfield edging ahead 5 - 0 at half time, with a break away try from Sam Cordin.
The second period saw domination of both territory and possession by Mansfield with three excellent tries from Sam Cordin, Barney Bromley and Sam Johnson with a conversion from Tom Clark. Mansfield used all 20 players and played extremely well as a team only conceding a consolation try in the last minute, after a concerted effort from the Rasen forwards.
The Under 11’s won an exciting local derby 28-14 at home to Southwell. A closely contested match that could have gone to either side was eventually won by Mansfield, who were back in action after several weeks lay off. The first score went to Mansfield thanks to good forward work and the pace of man of the match Oliver Stokes, only for Southwell to reply immediately and tie the scores. Mansfield went into half time ahead after more good interplay led to a score from Jeavon Blake. The second half saw Southwell tie the scores once again before Mansfield stepped up the pressure and further tries by Conal Baxter and a second for Oliver Stokes rounded off a deserved victory. This week there is another local derby with a trip to Newark. Meet at the Clubhouse at 9.15am
News straight in from the far side of the Baltic state of Sutton, details of the forthcoming and much anticipated tour for next year have now been finalised. Friday 4th through to Monday 7th June will be the dates for the full fancy dress extravaganza at the international Slovenian Beach 5's Tournament. With the immense backing of the World renown media juggernaut that is 'MRL Promotions', colossal interest will no doubt be generated for this tour, and with places strictly limited, all those wanting to be considered for selection for tour please register your names by emailing radda@roylowe.co.uk |
