Mansfield march on into 2004
Powergen Midlands 2 East
AMPTHILL 14 MANSFIELD 37
Mansfield opened 2004 with one of the most comprehensive displays of the season. Wins at Ampthill, the only side to have beaten South Leicester in the league, are a rarity. That Mansfield came away with such a comprehensive score-line is a reflection of forward control they maintained throughout, the excellent cover tackling and their ability to take their chances in a game with precious few on offer.
Once again they got away to the perfect start. Rutter received good ball from the Ampthill kick off and sent Mansfield within 30 metres of the home line. Roberts took ball away and an early penalty slid just wide. The 22 drop out was seized by Stringfellow who broke, cleverly chipped behind the defence and Mansfield found themselves with a line out seven metres from the line. Stringfellow picked off Kirk’s throw, Roberts drove round the front and as Mansfield drove over Newton scored, Rutter converted and with just three minutes gone Mansfield had a 7-0 lead.
Despite having Roberts sin binned for ten minutes Mansfield still dominated the set scrums, line out and chose to drive at Ampthill. Rutter brave under the high ball claimed an important mark then drove a penalty to within 15 metres which Pritchard exploited, held within inches of a second try.
With two of the top kickers in opposition it was no surprise despite the slippery conditions to see long range penalties exchanged before Mansfield stamped authority early in the second quarter. Sweeping the ball down the three quarters Storey was bundled into touch. Stringfellow stole line out ball Newbould and Holmes made important metres and Pritchard had the strength to claim the converted try.
Mansfield drove out of their half well from the restart but paid the penalty for over elaboration, conceding penalties. Clawed back to 17-9 Mansfield approached half time and the prospect of playing uphill for the second period far from safe. However, shuddering tackles from Karl Robinson and Jones jolted Ampthill into their 22. Loose ball and Wilson powered through with a dribble, hacked beyond the full back and pounced over the line. Rutter hit an easy conversion for the ninth of seventeen points on the day.
Facing the Ampthill onslaught after the break Newton, Holmes and Mansfield’s centre combination ensured the gain line wasn’t crossed and attempts wide out were floundering on Rushby and Storey tackles with Wayne Robinson eager to regain loose ball and clear long into the home half.
A late tackle on Rutter led to a penalty which came back off the cross bar but when Pritchard was pulled down in the line the skipper obliged with three more points. Rushby’s angled run from the wing led to Karl Robinson driving and Wilson skipping inside two defenders. As the pace became more frenetic Davies began to disrupt the home platform and take Mansfield into dangerous positions with his darting breaks.
Finally Ampthill created sustained pressure and on three quarter time a try wide on the right threatened to set up a nervous finale for Mansfield. However, two minutes later Davies profited from a quick heel and was away, Wilson harvested the long pass and with a near carbon copy of his first try broke, chipped, dribbled and put the game beyond doubt.
With Pike replacing Newton Ampthill found even more problems with the line out where they struggled all day. Rushby’s breaks inside so nearly gained the reward they deserved and Rutter ensured Mansfield kept the play in the opposition 22. Soar tackled and recovered well from a rare Ampthill break out before breaking clear and finding support from Holmes. As the clock ticked down the home support were generous in their praise of the side they viewed as the best they had encountered this campaign.
With slip ups by South Leicester and Loughborough Students Coach John Tasker characteristically looked at a four point gap at the head of the table and mused on important games to come, “Not just the top sides but everyone will want to say they beat Mansfield now. We’re there to be shot at and the first shot will be Syston at Eakring Road next Saturday.” That is the immediate task in hand but with key players returning the next fortnight Mansfield should see a full strength squad for the League and Cup run in.
To round off a great weekend the buses and over 100 members were rolling up to Rotherham on Sunday where Mansfield’s U11 side were invited to play at half time in the Zurich Premiership game between Rotherham and top of the Premiership Bath. The experience was capped off by photographs of the team and club members with the Rugby World Cup on its national tour. Memories to treasure but first this week the squad have a return fixture away to Southwell meeting at the clubhouse at 9.30 travelling by car.
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