Mansfield put out Panthers fire.
NLD CUP Quarter Final
North Derbyshire 11 Mansfield 30
Mansfield safely negotiated the potential banana skin of a visit to under dogs North Derbyshire on their own Oxcroft ground, first quelling the Panthers fire on the pitch then reacting quickly with fire extinguishers to control a fire in their hosts changing room. This was never going to be an easy tie for the Blue and Whites and they needed their full composure and discipline as a unit to counter the spirited onslaught from their opponents flying high two leagues below.
Mansfield looked for an early score to settle any giant killing nerves. A first minute penalty allowed them to set up a lineout 5 metres out and a catch and drive for the line. Pritchard snaffled Harrison’s throw but an over anxious drive saw the ball spilled and the home side used the let off to mount a ten minute barrage of running rugby through their backs.
Towering high balls saw Waterhouse and Bacon secure under pressure and they linked to strike back with looping runs. Mansfield had much to be thankful for the covering tackles of Newton and Holmes and had the benefit of a solid scrum which had the home pack in severe trouble. Newbould and Karl Robinson forced gaps beyond the gain line and strong running from Stringfellow carried the visitors forward. Lindsay continued the steady stream of line ball but penalties for crossing and accidental offside snuffed out attacking options. A further line out and a penalty on the 10 metre line presented Rutter with the chance to open the scoring on twenty minutes and the skipper obliged.
Jones went close to prising open the Panthers’ defence with a run and deft chip ahead and Wills ghosted past two men before running out of space. Two harsh decisions when Newton, on his feet, turned ball over and Harrison collecting a ball when all but the referee thought was in open play gifted two simple penalties and the second saw the scores levelled.
With the advantage of the slope it was essential for Mansfield to reach the half time with a lead and they stepped up a gear to open up a gap. A Pritchard run was ended with another of the mounting tally of penalties to the Blue and Whites but the wind took the throw off a straight line appeared to have given a relieving scrum to the home side. However, the pressure from the visiting pack saw an untidy heel from a retreating scrum and the quickest to react was Smedley for the first of a brace of tries.
Rutter converted and the kick off saw an immediate return to attack. Storey linked to take Mansfield back into the home half and Lindsay stole their line out. The pack set up rolling mauls and only dangerous play stopped the momentum. Another 5 metre line and Harrison having found Lindsay with his throw was at the back of the next drive to touch down and usher another superb touchline conversion from Rutter.
Before the break another penalty trimmed the lead to 17-6 and it would have been closer without a Wills tackle stopping an exciting, penetrative attack.
Turning round with the elements and local knowledge of every nook and cranny of the tight pitch Panthers looked to provide a torrid time for their visitors. Mansfield looked to drive the kick off back and Rutter kicked long. The Derbyshire side used a penalty award to take themselves within 15 metres of the line and a clean catch saw the ball spun down the back line and an overlap to create a try in the right corner. With the sides just six points apart Wayne Robinson replaced the limping Bacon and was immediately in the thick of the action.
The temperature continued to rise with great concern at the instances of lifting in the tackles and mauls and the cup tie cauldron bubbled before Mansfield secured the upper hand. A thirty metre break by Robinson and Harrison saw Panthers stretched, Ashley on for Newton pinched the ball from the back of the lineout and suddenly the home line was under siege. Mansfield crossed but couldn’t ground the ball but the next attack yielded an easy penalty for Rutter to open up a two score lead at 20-11.
The kick off failed to reach ten metres and it was Mansfield’s scrum again exerting pressure. Pritchard led the move on sixty three minutes and Smedley opened up for the Mansfield three quarters. Wills found the gap and Waterhouse was at his shoulder to take the pass and grab try number three. Crookes came on for Karl Robinson as Rutter losing his footing on the slippery surface saw his conversion bounce back off the bar.
Mansfield tried to keep up the pressure with runs from Wills and Robinson but with the line beckoning the ball was spilled, possession lost and Panthers swept up field at speed. A try looked inevitable but Waterhouse got back for the all important tackle. Lindsay and Crookes brought home attacks to an end before a cynical body check on Waterhouse brought a referee’s warning and the first yellow card of the afternoon.
There was not enough time for the full ten minutes in the sin bin to be seen through but time enough for Mansfield to put the icing on the cake. Robinson, Rutter and Waterhouse conjured the move to threaten, Pritchard and Robinson kept Mansfield within the home 22 and as they went to the line Smedley took control and darted blindside for his second try.
‘We needed to be on top of our game coming here for a cup tie’ was Coach John Tasker’s observation. ‘As the game went on we came stronger and knitted well as a unit. A home semi final in Thursday’s draw will be just the reward the boys deserve.’
Before that semi final important league points must be secured, starting this Saturday at 2.15 when the Blue and Whites seek to avenge a disappointing October defeat at the hands of Matlock. The Derbyshire side had a comfortable 16-0 win over Paviors last weekend and moved within two points of Mansfield with a game in hand. Both teams will approach the ‘four pointer’ as a vital game on their quest for mid table safety.
Mansfield II v Lincoln II - Away
Mansfield seconds travelled to Lincoln only to find there was a confusion over the referee but Lincoln managed to arrange one for a 3 o’clock kick off which left enough daylight for only a 30 minute each way game. This being the case the league fixture was agreed by both sides to be played as a friendly which Mansfield closely lost 29-25.
In this open game Mansfield dominated most of the play with tries from Wagstaff and Beaumont in the first half and two more tries from Newton and Garrett in the second. Mansfield came away from this game wondering how they lost it with having so much possession although a high penalty count against them compared to the opposition was a major factor. The players will look forward to playing the re-arranged league fixture in the near future to make amends.
Mansfield III v Southwell II – Away
This was a disappointing performance for Mansfield 3rds losing 30-12. It took them 60 minutes to get going by which time Southwell had scored their 30 points. The forwards were slow to the break downs and struggled to keep the possession they fought for which gave the three quarters nothing to work from but gave them a lot of defence practice.
Mansfield had the full package of youth and experience but lack of fitness was an obvious factor to the loss although there were good individual efforts from Haynes, Hornsby and Hardwick. Mansfield need to have a long, hard look at themselves before next weeks encounter against the much stronger Matlock outfit.
Mansfield IV v – Southwell III - Home
Mansfield 4ths, much like the 3rds, did not get off the mark until a good three quarters through the game when it was all over. Losing 21-7 to a youthful Southwell side Mansfield looked pedestrian throughout the first half turning around 16 nil down. From the restart Southwell kept up the pace and scored early doors to make it 21-0 which put the fire in the bellies of the Mansfield forwards. Now starting to rampage themselves they were unfortunate to only score once through Bragg. Sole converting to finish off the game. Mansfield in retrospect will rue this game as they came away knowing they were capable of more
Mansfield V v Bingham I - Home
Again the young, developing Mansfield 5ths losing 14-15 at home were unlucky in a lot of respects not to come away with a win against one of their strongest opponents to date in the shape of a very experienced Bingham 1st team. It was a very intense opening first half where 3 players, including one from Bingham, were sin binned for over enthusiastic efforts. This settled the game down and some outstanding rugby began to bloom. With youth against experience, the tireless legs of the vibrant Mansfield side told in the end. Mansfield were very unlucky when, with four minutes to go, a 40 yard penalty brushed the outside upright. A superb team effort again for Mansfield brought tries for Wardle and Riley.
Two conversions went to captain Marshall. Man of the match, with a personal outstanding display went to Pogmore, whose work rate and commitment for his younger years is a credit to the game. |
