Morale boost for Mansfield in late, late show.
SHEFFIELD TIGERS XV 25 MANSFIELD 32
No league or cup commitments for Mansfield on Saturday but unlike many other clubs who rested Coach Steve Shaw chose to line up a demanding away fixture. In the end the reward was a hard fought win to end a six game losing run and boost to morale. Mansfield’s spirit never wavered in a match when the lead changed hands five times and was sealed in the last five minutes.
Mansfield kicked off into a very strong wind which dictated the tactics for the day. Grant recovered and Mansfield forced an early scrum which gave an early indication of the tough forward battle ahead. A back row move from Spencer and Newton resulted in Mansfield penalty and took them into the opponents 22 where Lindsay took good line ball and the home scrum were forced round back.
Throwing to the line out was a lottery with the gusting gale but Kirk showed control and after an initial break from Spencer, Shaw and Jones were keeping ball in hand and opening up the back line. Arnold powered through and a grubber kick saw Storey on the chase before limping to a halt and the Mansfield injury jinx had struck again.
As Mansfield rearranged Sheffield launched a volley of attacks which called for strong tackles from Waggstaff and Grant. However, the Blue and Whites strayed offside in front of the posts to fall 3-0 behind. Despite that Stringfellow made sure the restart came back Mansfield’s way and Hadley carried the ball on with skipper Kirk at his shoulder before Holmes charged in the home 22 once more.
The way for the Tigers was predictably long raking kicks and Mansfield’s defensive steel was required as they protected their line. The referee decided that Spencer had a little too much steel he picked up a yellow card. Despite that the Mansfield pack held firm under five metre scrums and after Taylor held up the Sheffield attack Jones found the guile to clear his lines before a yellow card evened up the numbers.
Another Jones penalty moved Mansfield to the home half but a line out offence seemed to have given the chance away as Sheffield lined up their scrum. The heel was quick but scrum half Shaw and Richard Newton were quicker. The support for the drive saw Mansfield move play to the 22, Arnold bring the ball back to his forwards and Holmes crash over as the lead changed hands.
Still having to work hard to recover long balls and grind their way back up filed Waggstaff and Arnold looked to carry the ball in hand with Jones and Wills arcing runs to test the Tigers out wide. It looked as though they had the speed to succeed but a foot on the touch line saw a try move called back for a line out.
Temporarily back to fifteen a side Tigers again fell foul of a yellow card and Mansfield capitalised. Stringfellow and Shaw worked a tap penalty to turn the opposition. Spencer forced his way out from close to the Mansfield line and Holmes took play over the Mansfield 22 down the right wing. Shaw and Jones switched play back across field, Wills made the vital break and Newton carried play on before Arnold committed the defence to set up Shaw. His pace took him past three diving tackles and under the posts for a Waggstaff conversion and stretched the lead to 12-3.
Well into stoppage time Tigers kicked off and Mansfield having secured the ball failed to do the simple thing and end the half with the ball out of play. Instead over elaboration allowed a steal and the home side swept in down their left to send the sides with a four point gap at the interval.
With the wind at their backs and Crookes and Beaumont coming off the bench Mansfield had the perfect start to the second period. Hadley collected and moved towards half way. Shaw pumped the ball long and with Tom Newton forced confusion in the defence to win a five metre scrum. Spencer worked the back row move and Beaumont was on hand to finish the move.
The nine point lead lasted two minutes. Once again having scored the Blue and Whites seemed to relax their concentration. A scrum thirty five metres out seemed innocuous but a blindside break and Tigers had their second try of the afternoon.
Worse was to follow and five minutes later a similar move from half way and Sheffield grabbed the lead with a well converted try. Hooper came on and maintained Mansfield’s line presence and mobility round the field, Tom Newton showed his pace with a run and Holmes typically appeared to tackle his opponent to a standstill before wrestling the ball clear and bring Mansfield up field.
Jones worked the ball well down the touch line and Wills and Beaumont seemed to have created a try only for the ball to run dead with the defence in their wake. Maintaining the pressure Arnold and Hadley took Mansfield forward before Shaw was again darting away past defenders. A Mansfield line on 5 metres and Kirk’s delivery to Hooper had Mansfield on the move, Crookes made vital metres and Spencer finished the move off for a tenuous two point lead.
With Shaw the next man to see yellow and Mansfield deep in their 22 it looked as though the game had slipped away when Sheffield forced their way over and took a 25-22 lead with moments remaining. Jones sent the kick off long. Tigers conceded a line out on five metres and this time Kirk picked out Lindsay before directing the drive for the line. As Holmes peeled away not even four defenders could overcome his determination and Mansfield edged 27-25 in front. Still time for one more thrust from fourteen man Mansfield and the perfect set up for Spencer to round off a significant, morale boosting win.
Back in league action Mansfield take the road to Leicestershire this Saturday to newly promoted Melton Mowbray. After an impressive start to their campaign in Midlands 2 they have faltered but still are one of the toughest away venues. What remains to be seen is if the confidence of one away win can carry through and start a march up the table.
Mansfield III v Newark III - Away
After North Derbyshire cancelled Mansfield rearranged to play local rivals Newark who turned out to be the strongest and most organised side they have played to date. Mansfield competed well to keep the score down to 22-5 at full time. A lot of credit goes to the developing youngsters of Mansfield, whose never say die attitude was exemplary as they played under continuous pressure at all set plays, which hindered their usual flair. It was an overall great team effort and the youngsters will take stock of this experience, playing such a quality side but Mansfield do realise that to improve they must play better sides. The only score for Mansfield came from man of the match on the day, A. Hawson.
Mansfield V v Meden Vale I - Home
Last minute rearrangements saw Mansfield 4ths entertain locals Meden Vale at home. Mansfield were comfortable winners at 27-8 after full time. Try scorers were B. Davies, Haynes and Hughes. Ray Pruden displayed his kicking prowess slotting 2 penalties and 2 conversions from far out wide. The whole team put in a good performance but Man of Match went to Paul Maddocks for his relentless work rate.
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