Sweet revenge promotes title ambitions
Powergen Midlands 2 East
MANSFIELD 19 AMPTHILL 5
Ampthill arrived at Eakring Road a place above their hosts with a nine game 100% winning run dating back to November 2nd. when, with two late tries, they became the last side to beat Mansfield in the league. In an increasingly tight top of the table this was a real “four pointer” as will be all the games this January. A titanic battle carried off by Mansfield with a defensive display to blunt the free scoring Bedfordshire side and forward domination to force home their advantage.
Kicking off down the slope Mansfield were immediately tested by an Ampthill drive but to set the pattern for the day Rushby, Jones and the mobile Mansfield back row proved an impenetrable wall forcing a drop goal attempt to try to gain some reward. That slipped under the bar and Rutter from the 22 moved the play half the length of the field. Struggling to win their line out ball Mansfield depended on turnovers from Newbold and the Man of the Match Roberts to springboard their attacking intent.
A rolling maul orchestrated by Kirk was pulled down in centre field and Robinson, whose scoring exploits dominated the afternoon, coolly put the first three points on the board. Mansfield were penned back again with Arnold turning to defend a chip through at the expense of a five metre line out. Controlling the line ball well Ampthill released the three quarters and Wilson snatched his sixteenth try of the season, surprisingly not converted. With the visitors cutting loose Mansfield were let off the hook twice with a wild final pass and a knock on ruining the chances for two more tries.
As the first quarter ended Mansfield did begin to exert pressure, sweeping down field through Buchanan and Roberts before Taylor carried the move to the Ampthill line. The visitors looked for respite with a 5-metre scrum but then ignominy of being shunted backwards and a scramble to concede the put in to Mansfield. Another great piece of forward power play edged towards the line before Roberts picked up and dived over to put the Blue and Whites 8-5 in front.
As Ampthill attempted to move back on attack Mansfield found a variation in line out tactics bringing Taylor in to play and Rutter again sweetly kicking defence into attack. More shuddering tackles from the centres and after a Mansfield heel found Davies in difficulties Draycott darted in to save the situation before Stringfellow first tied loose ball then linked with Roberts, Head and Davies to set up another penalty for Robinson to stretch the lead to six points at the break.
Mansfield made light of their uphill battle straight from the restart with Roberts and Buchanan making 25 yards before Kirk broke into the 22. Ampthill were keen to bring their backs into play and it took excellent covering by Taylor to snuff out a right wing attack and Newbold on the line blocked a certain score and won Mansfield a line out and some relief. Rushby and Davies combined to add pace behind an impressive drive before Arnold created a tricky penalty opportunity. That drifted just wide but coming out of defence through a Draycott run and chip ahead saw Mansfield in numbers to embarrass the Bedford side’s defence. A scrum under the posts saw Ampthill again back-pedalling and the pressure allowed Robinson to stroke over a penalty and ensure a two score gap between the sides.
Williams replaced Head and quickly showed direct running could create gaps that Rutter was keen to exploit. A series of drives and rolling mauls took Mansfield to the Ampthill line but Kirk, Stringfellow and Roberts all found their way blocked. Jones attempted to blast through but with a wall of bodies, Robinson first drove in to release ball for Mansfield then he was in position to take Davies’s pass and bludgeon his way over the line.
Keen to maintain their growing dominance Coach John Tasker introduced the fresh legs of Ashley for Buchanan and he was only robbed of glory by a forwards pass with Ampthill’s defence in shreds. Storey replaced Draycott and linked with Jones for a thrust down the wing. On the counter Newbold covered the width of the field to haul down the visitors winger, Arnold had to be alert to dive under two attackers to prevent a touchdown and secure a 22 as the nerves began to jangle. However, coolly Robinson and Rutter used angled clearing kicks to end the game in Ampthill’s half. The skipper’s verdict was “Not a pretty game but a pretty effective performance”.
The next three weeks will call for more of the same. In two weeks time the leaders Kettering arrive at Eakring Road but no thoughts of that game until negotiating the trip to Market Bosworth next Saturday. Nestling in the top six and now just two points behind Mansfield they are the only side to have beaten Kettering this campaign, 20-13 back in September, and are keen to avenge the 26-5 defeat they suffered at Eakring Road.
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