Mansfield mauled by Lions rampant
Powergen Midlands One
MANSFIELD 17 LEICESTER LIONS 71
Top of the table, crowned champions nine weeks before the end of the season, versus bottom and already relegated. There could only be one outcome surely and yet in sport that flicker of hope and the unexpected buoys everyone on in anticipation before the kick off.
It took nine minutes for that anticipation to be dashed and another two after that for Mansfield to have any player in control of the ball and possession. Lions simply roared out of the blocks and showed just why their faithful feel they have the credentials to make their mark in National League rugby next season.
Mansfield kicked off and it took a Williams tackle and recovery to stop an immediate try. Waterhouse had to hastily hack a ball clear but the riposte was a well angled blindside run for a third minute opening try. Straight from the restart strong running brushed tackles aside and the visiting scrum half was diving over under the posts. More concerted tackling from Newbould, Robinson and Pike temporarily stemmed the tide but with Mansfield wondering where the next onslaught was going to launched from the defences broke again.
Nine minutes, 19-0 and the record books were being consulted. Another wave of attack but Rutter anticipated and his interception saw Mansfield with ball in hand for the first time. The move petered out for a Lions line ball, but Mansfield were spoiling and regained possession Pritchard and Harrison made yards but it took a desperate Smedley tap tackle to prevent a break away. With Pike securing ball from the line out Mansfield ventured to the 22 through Rushby and Jones, only to be punished again. Spilled ball and Leicester needed no more invitation. Speed down the wing needed Waterhouse to tackle fifteen metres out. He did but the instinctive flipped was inside was being cradled and chaperoned behind the posts again.
The Blue and Whites never lack heart and spirit and after Jones put in a crunching tackle invention and adventure from Rutter, Rushby and Wagstaffe gave the home support something to cheer. With their scrum solid Rutter began to turn the visitors and Stringfellow ripped ball and careered through the opposition to force another line out. Pike fed and Taylor committed the defence before Rushby threatened the line with four men holding him out. Buchanan led a back row move but Smedley could not force his way through.
Having weathered a quarter one of the cruel twists of fate that seem to happen when you are already up against it hit the Blue and Whites. A ball ricocheting from a shin was adjudged a knock on. The scrum was all the invitation Lions required. Eight minutes and three tries later Leicester were turning round 45-0 in front.
The opening eight minutes of the second period were no better. Three more tires were added, Jones limping out of the game and Mansfield having to reshuffle 64 points adrift. Replacements Ashley and Holmes made immediate impact, especially round the fringes and Harrison set up the rolling mauls from ball Pritchard was providing.
The second row was held on the line and after Mansfield stole against the head Stringfellow was quick to seize the opportunity for a tap penalty and scattered defenders for a Mansfield try. As has happened all too often this season having scored the Blue and Whites failed to deal with the restart and on three quarter time they trailed 71-5.
The Leicester support still debated the milestones but their side which had clinched the league through a mean defence averaging just eight points conceded per game found Mansfield determined to be troublesome understudies. Buchanan appeared at the front of the line and twice Mansfield made progress. With a break apparently contained on the 22 Smedley showed mercurial genius to check, turn and dummy twice on his way to the line.
The opportunity to give young Martin Brearley his first team debut was seized and he immediately mad his mark in the set scrum and impressively driving over. Holmes battering ram run had three men reeling back and from the resultant scrum Mansfield capitalised. Buchanan and Holmes again created the opening the switch ball found Waterhouse on the perfect running line and the full back’s try crowned his Honest Heath and Brett Communications Mans of the Match award.
Rutter’s conversion completed the scoring on a day of horrors yet honour for the side’s inextinguishable spirit.
So now Mansfield must regroup ahead of a trip to Dunstablians, one of four sides battling for the play off places. They came through a thriller last weekend beating the much improved relegation scramblers Whitchurch 42-37, so maybe another point’s feast is in store. Coach John Tasker will be keen to bring some more of Mansfield’s emerging Youth players through for their first team debuts after the success of James Smedley this campaign and Martin Brearley ‘s performance on Saturday.
Mansfield Under 15's returned from their Easter Tour as Blackpool Rugby Classic Champions. This followed their success in the N.L.D. semi-final where they triumphed 13 - 3 against the Fenland Barbarians. Down 3 - 0 at half time Mansfield dominated the second period and secured victory with a try each for Samuel Cordin and Barney Bromley and a penalty from Jordan Bailey. They are now in an all Nottinghamshire final against local rivals Newark on April 17th.
The Blackpool trophy was secured with five games in three days. Victories against Finchley R. F. C. (London Borough of Barnet) 14 - 0; Tarleton R. F .C. (Lancashire) 10 - 0; Basingstoke R. F. C. 29 - 12 (Hampshire) and a 19 - 17 win over two games against Gosport & Fareham R. F. C. (Hampshire). The points were scored by Samuel Cordin with 5 tries, Simon Rowland, Declan Dykes and Joe Kimberley with 2 tries each and 7 conversions plus a penalty from Tom Clark.
Nottinghamshire under 14s v Lincolnshire under 14s at Mansfield rugby club on Sunday 24th April A team KO at 1.30pm followed by the B team
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