Vital Points for Improving Mansfield
Powergen Midlands 2 East
MANSFIELD 23 TOWCESTRIANS 13
No move up the table for Mansfield but this vital win sees the Blue and Whites closing the gap with the sides in mid-table. Results elsewhere meant that Mansfield has three sides in their sights and points difference in their favour.
Kicking off into the stiff breeze Mansfield found themselves on the back foot. Waterhouse had to be secure under a towering high ball and the speed of the Towcestrians backs was immediately apparent. There was comfort in the set pieces with the home eight shunting the visitors pack around in the scrums and Harrison picking out jumpers Taylor and Pritchard to give a platform and the lion’s share of possession.
Bacon was in early action bundling his opposite winger into touch, Wayne Robinson and Jones were called on to put in big tackles as the defence was tested. An early penalty from 45 metres saw Mansfield fall behind before mounting a swift response. Stringfellow recovered the restart and with Ashley and Newbould reacting in support, stopped at the expense of a penalty. Pritchard picked off the line out and the drive infield saw another penalty awarded and Rutter seized the chance to level in the seventh minute.
Waterhouse was having to cover across the width of the pitch but supported by Storey and Bacon plus Rutter’s deft kicks Mansfield took the game deep into Towcestrians territory. Slick line outs and turnovers at the scrums should have brought points but instead a sensational break gave Towcestrians a 10 – 3 lead. Ball spilled in the loose was hacked clear from under the visitor’s posts, the lightning pace of the left wing, two more kicks ahead and the try was scored between the posts.
Undaunted Mansfield continued to use their well drilled pack to drive before releasing Stringfellow, Ashley and Jones at an increasingly desperate defence. A penalty under the posts reduced the gap to four points but that situation was short lived. A cruel bounce took the kick off back into Towcestrians arms and a penalty award to restore the seven point lead.
With the strong scrum as a base Smedley and Ashley worked away from number eight and gave impetus to commit defenders. On the half hour Ashley began a move which saw Taylor finding a gap and Pritchard supporting before Ashley was back and the ball spun out to Bacon. With the defenders closing down his space the young winger twisted and pirouetted through three men before securing his maiden try for the Firsts. The conversion faded into the wind but Mansfield were soon back in the Towcestrians 22. A fifty metre rolling, rumbling drive behind Stringfellow’s catch directed and urged by Smedley ended with Rutter being held on the line. With the next attack Stringfellow emerged from the bottom a pile of bodies across the line but the referee was unsighted and unable to give the score.
Mansfield did have the five metre scrum and with the defence reacting to Rutter’s dummy run Ashley darted forward for the first of the tries that ensured he was named the Roy Lowe & Sons Man of the match. Rutter’s conversion cannoned back from the upright to end the half but Mansfield had edged in front 16 – 13 at the break.
Mansfield looked to build but the game settled into a cagey and somewhat scrappy affair as both sides sought to nullify attacking options. Ashley and Newton ensured ball for the three quarters but Storey was squeezed out and Jones was held just short of the try line. Rutter’s high ball forced an error and Robinson set up a five metre line out.
Stout Towcestrians defence held their line before successive penalties brought them back to the Mansfield 22. Harrison stole the visitors’ line ball and Rutter moved play back where the Blue and Whites could seek the vital score. Storey broke on the loop but Bacon was held. Karl Robinson crossed the gain line and Newbould moved play before another penalty award.
Rutter’s kick hit the post but it was the home players reacting to the rebound the quicker and in numbers. With the drive heading to the left wing a switch in play saw Newton stretching the opposition before releasing Ashley for his second try. Rutter’s well struck conversion from wide out sent his side into the final ten minutes with a ten point lead. Mansfield looked to add to their lead with a Storey run but Rutter and Stringfellow had to make key tackles to preserve the two score cushion.
The long blast of the final whistle brought palpable relief around Eakring Road and their second win of the campaign. Many believe that confidence will flood back into the squad with a victory under their belts. The proof will come next Saturday when Mansfield make the long trip to bottom of the table Ampthill. Another two points will surely see the side move out of the relegation places but games at the Bedfordshire ground have always been hard fought encounters and this will be no different.
Mansfield II v Towcester II - Home
Mansfield 2nd team beat Towcester 2nd team 37-12 in an open fast game which was scrappy in parts from both sides. Towcester made the journey up the M1 despite only having 11 players. Mansfield re-shuffled their side so both sides began the game with 14 players. Mansfield’s Lee Garatt was first on the score sheet when he out paced his opposite winger to score in the corner. Towcester replied soon after with a converted try, sending out a message they had not just come to make the numbers up. As the game progressed both sides were struggling to put any patterns of play together which resulted in an error riddled first half that both sides were glad to see the end of.
Mansfield started the second half in a different manor, they began to dominate the rucks and mauls which allowed Cartwright to start releasing his backs, and with almost immediate effect Mansfield ran in three quick try’s from Maxwell, Beaumont and Scott. Towcester to their credit never gave up and were rewarded with a second try midway through the half. Mansfield now playing a pattern of rugby they were use to, starting to create opportunities out wide. Rushby and Brown exchanged several passes then Brown outpaced his opposite winger to score in the corner. Mansfield’s Scott finished the game off with a run that split the Towcester defence in two, out sprinting both chasing wingers over the full length of the pitch and then unselfishly passed the ball to Broadhurst for the simplest of try’s finishing off a more structured second half.
Mansfield III v West Bridgford II - Away
Mansfield third team’s bad run continued this Saturday losing 36-5 to a well organised West Bridgeford II XV. Mansfield’s pack dominated yet again but were unable to convert the pressure into points. WB were more organised in the forward to backs link, moving the ball through the hands more smoothly. This said Mansfield seemed the stronger of the two sides throughout the game but time after time failed at the final execution. An individual chip and chase saw Jane score Mansfield’s only points.
Mansfield IV v Sheffield Tigers Vets - Home
Mansfield 4ths returned to winning ways on Saturday with a 36-0 win over Sheffield Tigers Vets. Mansfield dominated from start to finish but Tigers never stopped battling with a slightly under strength squad. Mansfield’s try scorers were Sole, Taylor (2), Wood, Bragg, and man of the match Eames. Sole, Payne, and Stevenson scored 2 points each from the boot to make it a good all round performance
|
