SENIOR RESULTS
Mansfield blown out of Cup.
NLD CUP Quarter Final
MANSFIELD 0 MATLOCK 11
For the second week running these two sides met in difficult weather conditions and it was Matlock who handled them better to book their place in the Semi final of the NLD Cup. Their use of the wind in the first half should have pointed the way for Mansfield’s response but too much of the second period was played with ball hand at the wrong end of the ground.
Looking to put the previous week’s 41-5 defeat behind them Mansfield made a determined start with Stringfellow competing for early lofted ball and Pritchard recovering loose ball on the ground to allow Holmes and Lindsay to make early yards. The strength of the wind encouraged Matlock to attempt a long range penalty but the resulting 22 drop out nearly created the dream start.
From forward drives in mid field the ball was worked to the left and Arnold and Symcox speedily set up an interchange of passes and Mansfield were racing for the line and an opening try. The final defence breaking pass was adjudged forward to howls of dismay from the home support and a confidence boosting opener evaporated.
A series of scrums saw Spencer and Shaw working from the back row to allow Jones to kick Mansfield back to half way and Holmes stole line out ball at the tail of the line. Symcox used his boot to move play into Matlock’s half but angled chips, floated on the near gale meant the Mansfield 22 was seeing the lion’s share of the action.
A scrum some fifteen metres out saw Matlock commit players to their blindside and Mansfield, slow to match numbers with defenders were unable to contain the attack and on eleven minutes found themselves 5-0 down.
The next ten minutes saw Mansfield battling to contain the Derbyshire outfit. Drury and Spencer made strong tackles to wrestle ball clear and Bacon halted a three quarter move with a rapid double of hits. A Wills attempt to run with ball in hand was forced across field and after scrappy play at the breakdown a wind assisted penalty opened up an eight point gap.
Once more pegged back Mansfield had the benefit of a solid scum and a Spencer, Holmes and Pritchard drive to the edge of their own 22. Spurning the chance to clear immediately Mansfield took play on two more drives only to find themselves penalised for holing on. Fortunately the penalty thumped the upright and Arnold, quickest to respond took Mansfield clear.
Gradually working their way out from defence Kirk made an incisive break after Stringfellow recovered Mansfield’s 22 drop out. In a bright passage Lindsay made progress and Hadley took play on before the explosive Holmes and Spencer saw Mansfield into opposition territory. A run by Jones had the Matlock defence twisting and turning before an incisive angled run from the wing by Storey.
It looked as though the Mansfield pressure would pay off with points but in great position a wild pass and Mansfield were chasing back to half way. More loose play nearly spelt disaster as an attempted quick line out, with two Matlock men in close attendance played Shaw into trouble.
Desperate to peg back their opposition Mansfield were using Spencer to good effect and the defence of Jones and Bacon was providing possession. Pritchard broke three tackles on a bullocking run with Stringfellow able to maintain the momentum and earn a scrum 10 metre from the line. The back row move saw Holmes break, Spencer support but the final drive could not secure the try. A final run from Arnold brought the half to a close and turning with the wind only eight points down Mansfield were very much in the game.
It was not to be, however, as Mansfield despite the inspiration of Holmes ferocious tackling and willingness to run with ball in hand failed to create openings. Replacement Coleman linked with Spencer, Arnold collected a wayward penalty for a good run down the wing and Shaw and Wills swapped passes as Mansfield sought a chink in Matlock’s armour.
A Lindsay tackle dislodged the ball and Bacon showed strength before linking with Hooper as he came off the bench. With Mansfield moving into the final quarter they at last produced long kicks through Jones to set up play in the visitors 22. Storey had one last foray with Bacon and Holmes before giving way to Grubb who immediately was collecting a high pass and after a dummy was forced into touch. Hadley burrowed to turn ball over and Symcox attempted to run ball clear.
Once again Mansfield allowed themselves to be pegged back to their own 22, Hooper saved over his own try line after a kick was charged down but despite the adventure of a quick drop out play was firmly at the wrong end. A penalty with three minutes to go finally killed off hopes of any grandstand finish and any passage to the National Trophy next season.
It is back to the League this week and it doesn’t come any tougher. The Visitors to Eakring Road at 2.15 are league leaders Loughborough Students. Always a talented side they have turned their attentions and focus onto the League and promotion. A 36-3 defeat earlier in the season was one of the smaller wins for a side with over 500 points to their name and a positive point’s difference of 416. Only Derby has taken a point from the Students in 14 outings but Mansfield will be looking to be the first to inflict a defeat.
Mansfield II – No Game
Mansfield III v Ripley Rhinos - Home
In their first game on home soil since the New Year the vibrant young Mansfield 3rd team stole the show with a good controlled display of rugby brushing a depleted Ripley Rhinos side aside 64-0. With grass roots rugby still alive Ripley turned up late 5 players short but fortunately Mansfield 2nds game was cancelled last minute so were able to make their side up. It was still one way traffic really with the youngsters running the ball at every opportunity which Ripley struggled to compete with. They made some head way in the tight but were unable to control the game from there. Mansfield forwards and backs combined well and handling was exquisite letting the ball do the work. Tries came from A. Coupe (2), Musgrove (2), Oakden (3), S. Chapman, Nelson, Gibbons with a try and 4 conversions and young Repton with 3 conversions. Man of the match went to Ash Whittlestone who played out of his skin at Scrum Half.
Mansfield IV v Bingham I – Away
The 12-10 scoreline depicts just how closely contested this game was. Bingham ran in the eventual winners but Mansfield must be kicking themselves when a potential draw was thrown away in the confusion. Bingham opened the scoring early with 2 quick tries in succession so Mansfield were always playing catch up but did look the stronger of the 2 sides as the game went on. Hubbard went over for a score just before half time to go in 12-5 down. As the game progressed Mansfield threw the kitchen sink at Bingham attcaking at every opportunity, opting to kick for touch when in retrospect they should have taken the 3 points. Berryman brought it even closer on the 75th minute, powering over for Mansfields second try. A misunderstanding of the score saw Payne rush the conversion to see it go painstakingly wide. As much as Mansfield tried to cross Bingahms line to take the match they were thwarted by a steadfast defense. 12-10 game over.
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