Mansfield head for final number seven.
Nottinghamshire Senior Cup Semi Final
MANSFIELD 23 PAVIORS 15
Mansfield extended the unbeaten run that stretches back to December 1997 to make it into their seventh consecutive final with a powerful performance in the loose to overcome a spirited and committed Paviors outfit. Despite falling behind in the early stages and struggling to exert control in the set scrums Mansfield’s forwards had the speed and mobility to gain enough possession to ensure the victory.
Having lost the first scrum of the game Mansfield found themselves under pressure and falling behind to a third minute penalty. The response was quick with Pritchard claiming line out ball and seeing Taylor and Smedley develop play up to the Paviors 22. From a difficult looking position Rutter jinked his way out of a tackle and through the narrowest of gaps before Pritchard’s support play gave him the chance to level the scores with Mansfield’s first penalty.
Williams had to be alert to claim a mark from a tantalising Paviors up and under. The Burnt Stump side used the line out to get into position for a drop goal that cannoned into the underside of the bar. However, there was a scrum for them and they cleverly used the wheel to develop the blindside and a try well converted from wide out to lead 10 – 3 on twelve minutes.
Mansfield began to utilise the power of their forward unit with Smedley directing, cajoling and marshalling them to progress down field. Paviors continued to look dangerous on the break and important tackles were made by Rushby and Waterhouse. On the back of a stream of line out balls Arnold was able to make incisive runs into the heart of the opposition and Robinson and Holmes both made the extra ground. Stringfellow found his way through to disrupt Paviors on the drive and Mansfield camped out in the visitors 22 for ten minutes intense pressure.
Line outs followed scrums and walking the disciplinary tight rope Paviors found them reduced to fourteen through a yellow card and Mansfield used Lindsay in the line out to drive for Pritchard to add to his impressive try tally. The conversion fell just short but after the restart Jones showed the pace to put Mansfield back in the driving seat.
Another sin bin offence gave five minutes which the Blue and Whites had to make the most of. More forward pressure brought Mansfield to the try line and skipper Rutter joined the move to first score the try and then brilliantly stroke over the conversion. Before the half could end Mansfield made one more telling break through Williams and then saw Paviors attempted clearance charged down and Pritchard just failing to keep the ball in touch in goal for another try.
Paviors began the second half full of running but Mansfield’s well drilled defence snuffed out the danger and Rutter made great distance with his clearing kicks. Arnold claimed a mark and Taylor and having moved play half the length of the field the three quarters probed Paviors defence. As the cover became more frenetic the inevitable penalty gave Rutter the chance to move Mansfield two scores in front.
With no respite Rushby and Pritchard both broke through the gain line and Waterhouse appeared on the perfect running angle to keep the Blue and Whites threatening the line. Drury entered the fray and secured loose ball to allow another Holmes run, Williams seized on a ball squirted out of the set scrum and after a 30 metre Waterhouse run from his own half an eight man handling move saw Jones held up across the line.
Drury stole untidy line out ball and an interchange of passes between Arnold and Rutter looked to have given Mansfield the chance for the clinching score. Play was brought back for a penalty and Smedley alert to the quick tap had the strength to grab a try.
Pike and Buchanan brought fresh legs and sound line out options and Harrison was called in to action for the final moments. They saw a great last ditch tackle from Jones before Paviors drove in for a consolation try. Even then the game ended with Mansfield moving forward impressively but a forward pass robbed Williams of a final try to put the icing on the cake.
Next week sees the curtain come down on the league campaign with Whitchurch coming to Eakring Road. No end of season wind down however, it is one of the two games that will decide the final relegation and play off places. The Shropshire side are level on points with Derby and just six points separate the sides on point’s difference. Derby will travel to Kettering who need a point to ensure second and the play off place. So mobile ‘phones and slide rules will be working out the permutations. Mansfield will look to come through the weekend unscathed and have a fully fit squad available for the Cup Final at Mellish on Sunday May 1st.
Mansfield under 15's travelled to Sleaford to play the Notts, Lincs, Derby's cup final against local rivals Newark this Sunday. This was the third final in 4 weeks, previously winning the Blackpool Classic against Gosport and Fareham and losing to Glossop in the NLD sevens tournament last Sunday.
Mansfield playing against the slope and wind struggled to control the very large Newark pack who won good possession for the Newark backs to run in four unanswered converted tries in the first period to lead 28 - 0 at half time.In the second half Mansfield upped their tempo playing with more flair and taking the game to Newark securing a try through Barney Bromley which was converted by Tom Clark. Who, after another period of pressure, added to the Mansfield score with a penalty. Despite Mansfield's greater possession and territory Newark were still able to score a converted break away try to win the cup 35 - 10.
After their most successful season to date, the team now represent Mansfield in the East Midlands Championship playing the best teams from Notts, Lincs, Derbys, Leicestershire, Northants and Bedfordshire, this coming weekend, at the Leicester Lions Rugby Club.
A measure of revenge came in the Under 17’s final game of the season and a much improved performance by the side, now coached by Phil Richardson, landed a marvellous 31 – 5 win over Newark this weekend. Five tries came with one in the first half and four in the second to round off a brilliant team performance.
Back Row-Kyle Dumbleton,S haun Symcox, Tom Clark, Jim Smith, James Appleton, Michael Morton, Joe Kimberley, Niall Goldie, Alex Boyles, Jordan Bailey, Brad Kikbride, Shaun Irving coach.
Front Row-Gareth Wharmby, Steph Clay, Declan Dykes, Josh Blake, Danny Ellis, John Tasker, Tommy Blythe ,Sam Johnson, Samuel Cordin, James Wood, Barney Bromley, Simon Rowland.
(players missing: James Seals, Jordan Flynn)
Mansfield U16s finish their 2004/05 campaign at Eakring Road with a 14- 5 revenge against Derby.
Although the visitors opened the scoring, Mansfield edged in front with a well taken try by Outside Centre Andreas Zacharia, converted by Stand Off Jonathan Williams. In an even and fiercely contested second period, Mansfield made the game safe toward the end with the definitive score, same kicker for the other NEW Centre, Tom Calladine's try.
Tom donned a Mansfield shirt, rejoining his Club competitively for the first time this season, after being away on NLD, Midland and England International duty. Although Tom normally plays on the Flank, he couldn't pass by the opportunity to play in his, and some of his team mates, seventh now continuous season of Rugby at Mansfield
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