Determined Mansfield share the spoils
Powergen Midlands 2 East
MANSFIELD 20 NEWARK 20
At the end of the day the seesaw remained balanced but either side might have carried off two vital league points. After a blistering start Mansfield looked to have the game at their mercy. 17 – 7 ahead on the half hour and seven points up with minutes to go Newark felt the points were in the bag. A silent ground watched Rutter’s last gasp penalty to win the game fall inches short of the crossbar, another foot and an injustice would have done.
Mansfield’s dogged determination, so important in claiming the victory seven days earlier, once again brought them back into the game but the side are simply losing their way and gifting their opponents’ points.
Newark kicked off but immediately found themselves on the back foot. Rutter was to the fore with astute, probing kicks and harrying the visitor’s attacking intent for Holmes and Newbould to turn over possession. Lindsay and Pritchard set up the platform from the line outs and Mansfield totally controlled the set scrums. Kirk drove to the Newark line before Man of the Match Smedley forced his way from the base of the scrum and wriggled over on six minutes for the opening try converted by Rutter.
It was important for Mansfield to capitalise on their start but instead they gifted their opponents the initiative. Not only was the restart kick fumbled but the Mansfield man was left isolated and a penalty conceded. Newark needed no second invitation to set up a five metre line, drive and Cove claimed the try. Mansfield’s attempts to regain their control fell down as ball was turned over in contact, spilled to halt promising moves and hesitancy allowed defenders to recover.
With confidence growing Newark brought their backs into play and in a five minute burst crossed twice to open up a 17 – 7 lead. The first thrust through the centre was met with some woeful tackling and an easy try for Wattam converted by Dobson before flowing three quarters sent veteran Byrom over in the corner.
Mansfield’s domination in the scrums kept hopes alive and with Smedley directing the drives Taylor, Lindsay and Karl Robinson all forced their way up field. Newark had a ‘try’ that may have decided the day disallowed for a double movement and Mansfield turned defence to attack with Storey just forced into touch in full flight. Newark’s self control went and gratuitous use of the boot and a torrent of abuse aimed at the referee surprisingly failed to bring any card.
The indiscipline allowed Rutter a penalty and the sides turned round with just one score between them. That could have been greater after Mansfield’s kick off brought play deep into the visitors 22 and they swept the length of the field. Great credit for the scrambling defence as Mansfield raced back and Robinson, Rushby and Arnold held up what seemed a certain try. Rutter broke to set up a Newbould run with Jones in support and Arnold harried the Newark backs to force a line out. Stringfellow collected a long throw and set the drive which gave Rutter another penalty.
Newton replaced Holmes and was quickly in the action stripping the ball before another unforced error gave Dobson the chance to return the gap to seven points. He had the chance to stretch that lead but saw his kick slide by and Mansfield stepped up a gear. Clever 22 chip outs by Rutter were collected by Stringfellow and Newton as Mansfield mounted attacks from deep. With a series of Newark players receiving treatment the stoppage time was mounting and eight minutes from the eventual final whistle Lindsay soared to take Kirk’s throw in. Driving in field Arnold joined at from the wing and found Rushby on his shoulder to finish the move.
Rutter converted and then had that last gasp penalty attempt. It would have been cruel on the visitors and Coach John Tasker acknowledged the fact. ‘We got out of jail, but lets face it we put ourselves in it. I simply don’t know how we can start the way we did today, finish so strongly and make so many errors in between. We have to turn it on for eighty minutes’ the opportunity to do just that comes with the trip to Old Northamptonians on Saturday. They sit a point ahead of Mansfield with two wins in their first three games but the Blue and Whites must look to leap frog and make their way up the table.
Mansfield U17's second league game, away at Newark, continued an unbeaten run, 7-5, whilst resting their NLD / Academy squad members. A fierce and committed contest brought a first half try for No.8 Danny Spencer, converted by Stand Off Alan Symcox. Just before the break, Newark were reduced to 14 for 10 mins after an unnecessary but colourful verbal onslaught of the official, only to be surpassed 3 mins from time, by a melee involving vicious use of the boot upon Mansfield's.13, duly penalised, culprit unknown to the official! Some sour and ineffectual moments that fortunately didn't spoil a good game. Several Mansfield ‘tries’ failed to get the referees nod and Newark's repost made for a nail biting finish, with the last play being a missed penalty kick at goal, which could have undeservedly snatched it for the home side. Defence was the key within a well motivated team of just 15 players on the day.
Mansfield's Under 15's continued their run of good form with two convincing victories in a fortnight. The first was over a big and physical Mellish 15. Playing up the slope Mansfield totally dominated territory and possession scoring 6 tries through Andrew Simms, John Ross Ward, Michael Wynn Higgins and Ryan Croll with one each and two tries for Jonathan Cordin Ward converting two to take the score to 34 - 0 at the break.Mellish made a number of changes at half time and although Mansfield dominated territory they restricted them to three further tries through Ward with his second, Danny Boyles and Toby Lieber. Ward scored this third conversion to take the final score to 51 - 0.
Mansfield U15's also travelled to local rivals Nottingham and ran out comfortable winners; the game being stopped two thirds of the way through the second period with the score at 54-0. Mansfield took the game to the opposition straight from the kick-off, playing the majority of the first half in the Nottingham 22. Scoring five tries through Luke Folkard with two and one each for Robert French, Ryan Hough and Adam Shaw. The second half followed the pattern of the first with Nottingham defending stoutly and Mansfield dominating territory and possession. Five further tries being scored by Ellis Keegan, Jonathan Cordin, Callum Wood, Josh Metcalfe and Shaw with his second. Mansfield opted only to take difficult conversions with Ross Elms bisecting the posts twice to complete the scoring
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