SENIOR RESULTS
Mansfield II v Sheffield Tigers III
Mansfield travelled to Sheffield with a full strength squad for the first time this season which proved to be too much for the usually strong Sheffield Tigers outfit. Mansfield ended the game winning 73-15. Mansfield were just too strong for Sheffield dominating all forward play which gave the backs the platform to attack at every opportunity. Mansfield try scorers were
Hooper (3), Brown, A. Broadhurst, Miles, Rushby, Harrison, A. Hawson, T. Newton, N. Williams and kicks from Wagstaff and Williams.
Mansfield III v Derby IV - Away
Due to injuries and unavailability Mansfield 3rd and 4th teams combined and were very unlucky not to come away from Derby with a win. Derby were eventual winners 20-10 but admitted that if they played the full 40 mins it could have been a different story. Mansfield were up against a very experienced and talented Derby veteran 4th team. From the kick off the powerful Derby pack showed their worth by driving Mansfield from half way right up to their try line and only a knock on prevented them from scoring in the first 2 minutes. As the game progressed Mansfield came back into it and only a couple of Mansfield mistakes going forward meant Derby could capitalise and create the scoring chances to put them 17-3 up at halftime. The heat on the day contributed in Mansfields favour as fitness showed. In the second hald Mansfield rallied and made it more of a contest, with a great team effort producing good scoring chances that were not taken through a combination of handling errors and solid Derby defence. Scores for Mansfield came from captain Scott Chapman (try) and a conversion and penalty for man of the match Darren Marshall.
JUNIOR RESULTS
Mansfield Colts v Paviors Colts - Away
Mansfield Colts travelled to Burnt Stump Park last Wednesday to play local rivals Paviors in the Notts Cup Semi Final losing a very close encounter by 17-10 in what was a rehearsal for the Three Counties final later in the month. Mansfield got off to an excellent start but despite enjoying the better possession and territory it was Paviors who went into the break with a 7-0 lead thanks to a drive from a 5m line out. Mansfield started the second period strongly and were soon back in the game with a carbon copy of the Paviors try when prop Mark Gregory emerged with the ball following a drive from the forwards to make the score 7-5. The game continued to be evenly contested with both sides having changes to score but neither making the most of opportunities that came their way. With ten minutes to go Paviors finally got the break through when their full back cut through the Mansfield defence to score under the posts. 14-5 soon became 17-5 when their Fly Half slotted a drop goal almost immediately after the re-start. Mansfield re-grouped and took the game back to Paviors and were eventually rewarded when a cross field kick from Jonno Williams was tapped back by Alan Symcox and collected by Full Back Alex Miles who rounded the defence to score. The conversion was missed and with only three mins to go Mansfield were unable to beat a resolute defence leaving the final score at 17-10. The Colts then travelled to the North East over the Easter weekend beating Darlington Mowden Park by 27-8 on Saturday, scorers for Mansfield were Phil Donaldson, Mike Lowery, Tom Calladine and Danny Spencer with a try apiece and Alan Symcox who added two conversions and a penalty. In a free flowing, open game of rugby the highlight was a 15 man rolling maul that resulted in the Calladine score.
Mansfield U14 v Leicester Lions U14 – On Tour
Mansfield U14 travelled to Suffolk for their Easter tour and played a highly entertaining game against Leicester Lions and won 14-0. Played in Mediterranean conditions, the lads showed signs of the late night previously. Early Lions pressure was absorbed, with Jack Mitchell’s tackles on their big number 8 and second row standing out. Mansfield began to dominate the very physical Lions forwards in the loose and Scrums. From a penalty Sam Butler went quickly and good handling fed the ball to Tom Lowery who set off from his own half, beating four tacklers and scoring under the posts. Sam Butler added the conversion. The second half saw many changes and no rest for the Lions, with the Mansfield pack continuing to take the game to Leicester. A good driving maul edged closer to the try line when it was illegally pulled down by Lions. The penalty was tapped to Matt Hubbard on the charge, who set up a ruck and Scrum Half Nick Burton sniped over to seal the game. Adam Newton added the conversion to seal a 14–0 win. This was a great end to an outstanding season with Matt Hubbard receiving player of the season and Bradley Eames the Players player of the season at the presentation evening. The coaches would like to thank all players involved this season.
Mansfield U16/U17 v Holland Easter
The Mansfield U16’s and U17’s travelled to Holland over the Easter weekend to play in the Huxley International Rugby Tournament at Hulversum Rugby Club.
On the Saturday prior to the tournament the U16’s were invited to play at the Dutch International Rugby Complex against Amsterdam Rugby Club and were convincing winners 39-5. On the Sunday the U16’s and U17’s played in the same tournament and each team won their respective leagues to reach the semi-final stages.
The U16’s beat Maidstone 24-0, Chippenham 17-5, Taunton (16s) B 29-0, Cleckheaton 42-0 and the U17’s beat RC Yevko (Ukraine) 21-0, Ledbury 36-0, Taunton (16s) A 12-5 and Murrayfield B 29–0. The U16’s met Taunton U17’s in the semi-final and lost by 4 tries to the Somerset champions. The U17’s beat the Murrayfield A team 21–7 to progress to the final where they then met the Taunton U17’s eventually losing 26–7. The U16’s played again at home this bright sunny Sunday morning. They the touring side Shooters Hill from South London, running out comfortable winners 69-7 with tries from Jonathan Cordin (2), Josh Cairns (3), Josh Metcalfe, David Swann, Ryan Croll (2), Steve Repton and Danny Boyles with 6 conversions from the boot of John Ross Ward and 1 from Josh Cairns. The Blue and Whites played some excellent rugby totally dominating territory and possession and only conceding in the last seconds when they went down to 14 players through injury.
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