Improving Mansfield fall short
Powegen Midlands 2 East
OLD NORTHAMPTONIANS 22 MANSFIELD 16
A much improved team performance and eighty minutes of exerting pressure was not enough to bring away any reward from Old Northamptonians. Mansfield’s best efforts were countered by exhilarating Barbarian style back play at every opportunity and one of the best individual performances seen at this level. The home, South African born, number eight controlled so many aspects in defence and attack with a voracious hunger for the ball.
The style to be encountered was obvious from the off. Receiving the kick off O. N. were straight into a serried of running moves with quick hands and slick interchanges of angles to force the retreating Mansfield defence into conceding a 5 metre penalty, although their was a hint of crossing twice in the build up. In line with their game plan it was a quick tap and before Mansfield could marshal their defence the try was scored.
To their credit Mansfield put this behind them and rallied with a series of forward drives and determined chasing of territory gaining kicks from Wayne Robinson and Rutter. Newton looked for every opportunity to drive close to the breakdown with Holmes and Newbould supporting half breaks and ten minutes pressure in the home half finally paid dividends. Last ditch burrowing from the home defence held up play over the line. Relief was short lived as the resulting line ball was taken by Taylor and Mansfield drove over with Kirk securing the try.
The thin Blue and White line of defence was under pressure but both Jones and Rushby stood firm in the centre and the full force of Tom Newton and tentacle like arms of Storey ensured no passage down the wings. His attacking prowess brought the next score as he was late tackled on a chip ahead. The penalty brought a line out and although it drifted long in the difficult wind an infringement gave Rutter the chance to send Mansfield 8-5 in front.
From the restart Mansfield once again put themselves under pressure, failing to cleanly secure and despatch the kick. O.N. stepped up a gear, disrupting Mansfield’s heel and Smedley was the recipient of gratuitous studs as Mansfield were in retreat. Once again a penalty to the home side saw a quick tap and they were back in the lead at 10-8.
Worse was to follow with Stringfellow, who had blocked so many drives and looked to springboard counters sin binned for a professional foul to stop a certain try. Despite being a man down Mansfield found room to attack. A Richard Newton and Karl Robinson charge downfield ended with the final pass intercepted, Pritchard had a characteristic foray through three men and Rushby cut through tackles to send Mansfield close. However, the extra numbers finally paid dividends and there was no answer to a line catch and drive wide out. The conversion from touch went through the middle of the posts, the hardest kick of the game and the only success.
Mansfield began the second period determined and cashing in on their forwards’ power and seed, driving from their own 22 well into the home half. Tom Newton drove to the line where clever hands blind side of the referee illegally spirited the ball away. The next drive saw offside prevent Smedley launch the backs, Mansfield looked to be going over for a try but Stringfellow’s quick tap penalty routine was pulled back. With hands back on the ball as Taylor plucked Kirk’s throw out of the air the Mansfield backs opened out through Jones and Wayne Robinson. The ensuing Rutter penalty had Mansfield back within a score at 17-11.
The scrum back from the restart saw solid Mansfield scrumaging and Holmes on the charge setting up a Rutter drop goal attempt which shaved the upright.
Ashley replaced Holmes and was immediately stealing loose ball before an infringement just ten metres out was again tapped and the home side felt secure at 22-11. That was not to be as Lindsay joined the play adding fresh legs to the back row moves and debutant Gavin Crookes replaced Newbould in the front row. He maintained a solid cornerstone and willingness to run with the ball.
Richard Newton harried the scrum half into a poor pass and Mansfield follow up created a five metre line and try for Ashley setting up a final ten minutes where a converted try would have sent Mansfield home victorious. Storey threatened but accidental offside as the ball was hacked through stopped what looked a certain try and the home side nearly put themselves out of sight as woeful tackling saw a run from 22 to 22 until Jones rescued the situation.
On the attack to the end Mansfield could not snatch the victory, and it would have been cruel justice if they had. Victories need to come soon as results elsewhere saw Mansfield slip into a relegation berth. Two points will see them clear, and the first opportunity to secure them is at Eakring Road this weekend when Derby visit in a rearranged league game.
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