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Rearranged fixture caps World Cup Day

One of sports great adages was demonstrated at Eakring Road on Saturday. ‘Referees love them or hate them you can’t play without them!’ Desperate phone calls failed to find a replacement of high enough qualification to a last minute switch when the referee for the Mansfield – Newark match damaged an ankle. But that disappointment has only added spice and excitement to Mansfield’s season and the next two weekends.

Mansfield’s inactivity and a 29-20 win for Hinckley at Banbury means the two sides go head to head this Saturday level on points at the top of table. Mansfield retained top spot thanks to a superior points difference and will have that all important game in hand for their visit to Leicestershire. The destination of the championship and promotion could be a lot clearer by Saturday night if Mansfield can repeat their 34-0 win of last September. That was one of their best performances of the campaign and almost certainly the level they will need to reach to record another victory.

Seven days later the re-arranged Newark game puts the icing on the Rugby cake for Mansfield. A 1.30 kick off slots into the itinerary for the William Webb Ellis Sweet Chariot Tour and ensures a thrilling and full day for all rugby fans in the area. The World Cup will arrive at Eakring Road by Helicopter at 9.30 and a photo shoot for schools, clubs and groups in the Sports Hall.

“We anticipate unprecedented demand and have  had many sides contacting the club to book spaces” said Marketing Team Leader Paul Elliott,  “so we have been delighted to have been given permission to additionally parade the Cup round the pitch and give people the opportunity to take their own pictures before it flies off.”

Among those in the photocall will be the Year Seven teams from Brunts, Garabaldi, Manor and Meden schools who will contest the Abacus/Sportsmatch Festival crown. They will provide the perfect curtain raiser to that important League encounter which will be followed by live screening of England v. Ireland, Scotland and Italy as well as a reminder of that famous World Cup victory.

Mansfield are offering another opportunity to accompany the World Cup into the ground in the Sweet Chariot Helicopter. A specially organised raffle has been set in with tickets, at just £5, available from behind the bar at Eakring Road   

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Mansfield U12’s emerged from a very physical encounter on Sunday against a strong Stocksbridge team and record a well deserved victory 40 - 10. The windy conditions meant both sides played a tight game with the Mansfield forwards having the better of the early exchanges, particularly in the scrum. Once the ball was won it was the turn of the exciting back line to show what they were capable of, and a strong run from Declan Kavanagh led to the opening try. Once in front Mansfield kept the pressure on and further scores from Jeavon Blake, Oliver Stokes, and James Ford and Tom Lowery set the seal on a great all round performance, with the man of the match award going to skipper Paul Walker. This was a real measure of the improvements made by the side this year, and each of the squad members can take great credit from the performance. Training this Thursday at 6.00pm and Sunday at 10.00am

Mansfield 'U'13's using their full squad of players extended their unbeaten run with a convincing 59-5 victory at a wind swept Sleaford Rugby Club. The first score followed a good line out and scrum with Adam Shaw going over in the corner. The second followed a quick penalty with Ross Elms scoring in the opposite corner.  Good scrummaging and quick ball allowed the centres, Callum Wood and Ryan Hough to complete the scoring in the first period to give Mansfield a 20-0 lead.

The second period saw Mansfield score from the re-start with Ross Elms taking his chance from good forward play.  Sleaford claimed their only score of the game when the strong No.8 broke from the back of the scrum to score in the corner.

Mansfield regained full control dominating all the play with forwards David Swan and Andrew Simms going over before Adam Shaw scored his second.  Two conversions from Ross Elms took the score to 44- 5.

The third period saw some very good play with Jono Cordin scoring in front of the posts from a quick line out and Dean Gillion scoring after good rucking and quick ball down the line.  Ryan Hough completed the scoring when the ball was caught from a Sleaford kick and was run back with slick ball skills along the back line.

Mansfield now look forward to joining the 'U'14's in the Three Counties semi-finals to be held on the 7th March. They entertained a combined Spalding and Bourne Rugby Clubs side known as the Fenland Barbarians in a very tight but entertaining match, winning 5 - 0. The match was played at a very good pace in very difficult weather conditions with the ball being run from end to end. Strong tackling from both sides maintained the balance of play until midway through the first half when Tommy Blythe took the ball over the line from good Mansfield forward play.The second period was just as tense with good defence from both sides preventing any further score. Mansfield's man of the match was scrum half Sam Johnson.

 

 

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