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Mansfield mauled by classy Kettering

Powergen Midlands One

KETTERING  69   MANSFIELD  7

Mansfield’s worst fears were realised as a makeshift side were overrun by the Kettering juggernaut motoring their way to the National Division play offs. Mansfield had never won at Kettering and with no fewer than ten players, eight of them backs, unavailable the visit to second in the table K’s was that last fixture they could have picked. What ensued was a drubbing by eleven tries to one and worse still a further long term injury as Terry Davies damaged knee ligaments and was carried out of the game.

It took the home side just two minutes to get the scoreboard moving. Williams and Troman both defended to kick clear but with touch being missed Kettering’s exhilarating back division had the opportunity to speed the ball wide to their left and cross in the corner.

Despite stealing line ball and moving forward through Pritchard, Smedley, Drury and a Tom Newton run Mansfield were exposed as they failed to secure their own line ball in Kettering’s 22. Seizing the advantage the home side ran the ball the length of the pitch for try number two.

Up front Williams, Newton and Pritchard were proving a handful, Stringfellow peeled away and twice linked with Lindsay as Mansfield fought for parity. Despite the bizarre sight of a complete change of strip for Kettering as the first quarter ended Mansfield maintained the pressure with a break from Davies and Sander first covering then launching a counter attack.

However, when you are down the fates seem to continue to stack up against you. On thirty minutes another missed touch saw Kettering kicking through and the chase between Troman and the home centre looked safe until the ball bounced at right angles away from both men and gifted the wing another try.

Those final ten minutes of the have were torrid and every kick to the K’s was returned with devastating running and four more tries moved the score to 43 – 0 at the interval. Many round the ground were placing side bets on a point a minute and even a century for the home club to celebrate. Mansfield at least were not in the mood for capitulation.

Spurning an opportunity straight from the kick off Kettering reached their half century in as many minutes with a try under the posts and benefiting from another missed kick to touch made it 57 – 0 on the hour.

The next score brought a hearty cheer round the ground. A late tackle on Davies was penalised but in landing his studs locked in the heavy mud and rotation left the centre with a seriously damaged knee. Rutter placed the penalty to within 10 metres of the try line. Pike obliged with the catch and Stringfellow, Williams and Kirk all drove important yards before the ball was controlled at the third time over the Kettering line for Pritchard to secure a consolation try. Rutter’s conversion ensured Mansfield had something from the game.

Two more tries rounded off the day but many a side would have gone down by more under the circumstances and the Blue and Whites kept battling to the final whistle.

This Saturday Mansfield have the rare opportunity to record a double. Broadstreet visit Eakring Road looking to reverse the 12 – 9 defeat they suffered in October. Mansfield are hopeful that a more recognisable side will be available but keep looking in that physio’s room where their players are spending more time than in the gym these days.

Far from doom and gloom round the club Sundays continue to see the Youth section brightening the Eakring Road scene.Despite missing three key players, Mansfield U15's entertained a Dinnington team, that they hadn't previously beaten and triumphed 39 - 0. The first half was played predominantly in the Dinnington half and after ten minutes the ball was played down the line from the back of the ruck for Sam Cordin to break the game line, round the full back and place the ball between the posts.  Jordan Bailey converted.  The score was extended to 14 - 0 when Cordin intercepted a Dinnington ball and out sprinted the defence to score near the posts; with Bailey converting.  Strong Dinnington defence prevented further scores with James Wood and Bailey being held up on the line.

The second period started as the first with Mansfield dominating territory and possession. 

A quick move from the rear of the scrum saw the ball pass down the line for Tommy Blythe to score in the corner.  The score was taken to 22 - 0 when Bailey kicked a penalty from the 10 metre line.  Then Blythe scored his second when the Mansfield backs chased down another Bailey kick to make the score 29 - 0. Man of the Match Sam Cordin scored his third and fourth tries by diving over in the corner from a good move through the forwards and the backs and by chasing a kick over the top, tackling the defender, collecting the ball and running to the posts.  Bailey converted his third to end the match and give Mansfield a well deserved victory 39-0. 

Mansfield Under 14's extended their season's unbeaten run with an emphatic 61 - 0 win and the double over a big and physical Dinnington team, on a cold but bright Sunday morning.

Total domination of territory and possession produced five first half and six second half tries along with three conversions. 

Try scorers were Jonathan Cordin 3, Adam Shaw, Daniel Boyles and Ross Elms 2 each, with Ryan Hough and John Revell 1 each, Elms converting three.

On a cold morning the Under 13`s lost 15 - 0 in a fiercely contested physical battle, although the forwards were up for the physical side they lacked fitness to sustain their presence, to the end of both halves where the tries were scored.

Mansfield defended well in the first half with good strong tackling from Danny (Shaggy) Green and Dan (the Assassin) Burdett who kept us in the game. Dinnington first and second tries came from constant pressure from the forwards and Mansfield’s inability to clear their lines in the last 5 minutes.

After the break the game was in Mansfield’s grasp with the introduction of P,Walker at scrum half but poor handling in the backs let them down. Josh Kimbeley was awarded man of the match with Danny Booth in close contention. Fitness had the final say in the last 5 minutes with our boys walking to breakdowns while Dinnington had lots of running left in them resulting in a third try that sealed our fate.

Although a defeat the boys are getting there and its only a matter of time when we turn these results around. Training on Thursday and Sunday will be fitness based so get ready for it boys!

 

 

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