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Spirited Mansfield fall just short.

MELTON MOWBRAY  22    MANSFIELD  19  

 More problems for the Blue and Whites as they seek a move up out of the relegation places and immense disappointment that their most spirited performance of the campaign gave a glimmer of hope before being dashed despite a late surge.

The signs were not good at the kick off as Mansfield fluffed their lines and gave the home side a scrum. The quick recycling of the ball gave the chance for a forwards rumble and a series of scissor backs moves that saw Symcox and Holmes in defensive action before Waggstaff had to land a last ditch tackle to keep Melton out.

With the strong wind gusting down the slope at Mansfield’s backs the line out balls were something of a lottery but after Holmes and Lindsay secured Mansfield possession the side moved play out of their half before a Jones penalty set up a line out ten metres out. The driving maul with Stringfellow and Hadley rolling forward threatened but Mansfield failed to control the ball in the final, vital surge.

With personal duels cropping up at the forward breakdowns the referee had to take action and a yellow card on ten minutes for Spencer looked to have added to the Blue and White’s problems. However, the side dug deep and excellent cover defence not only negated the extra man but allowed Symcox to chase back and then launch Mansfield down the field into the home 22. A penalty award was pulled wide by the strength of the wind but Jones maintained territory with the boot. Another flare up saw Melton losing a man to the sin bin as Spencer re-appeared and had an immediate impact.

Lindsay took clean ball from Kirk’s throw and Mansfield drove over the line, unable to cleanly ground the ball. The 5 metre scrum saw a push then Spencer signalling this return with a powerful dive for a try. Waggstaff saw his conversion brush the post on its way over and the first quarter ended with Mansfield in front 7-0.

Despite putting themselves under pressure by failing to lay claim to the restart kick Mansfield consolidated and turned the screw. Holmes and Bacon combined to move Mansfield forward, Kirk looped away from the lineout to carry play 20 metres up field and Shaw prompted with a series of deftly flighted chips behind the defenders. Melton’s line out was stolen and Hadley with Newton in support looked to have breached the home defence. Grant carried the ball forward and Stringfellow added to the drive but Mansfield were guilty of crossing as they looked to release the backs. 

The penalty failed to find touch and Waggstaff and Wills carved their way through the opposition, Shaw carried the move on before yet another penalty where Mansfield opted to scrum rather than kick. A quick heel allowed Spencer to break blindside and his pop pass was gratefully received by Symcox who finished the move.

Attacking from halfway through Spencer and Shaw Mansfield looked to have the launch pad for another attack but ominously Melton held their ball and drove over 20 metres, a sign of the problems to come in the second period. With the slope and elements twelve points were certainly not a comfort as the sides turned round and but for a try saving tackle from Bacon on the half time whistle it could have been less.

Melton immediately had Mansfield on the back foot as the second period began. Grubb tried to lift the siege with a run and chip forward, after another yellow card for Melton Mansfield showed their ability to drive the rolling maul but were sent back by long kicks.

With twelve minutes gone the pressure told and rolling way from their line out Melton posted their first converted try. Immediately Grant, the recipient of a first half blow to his cheek gave way to Crookes who linked with Hadley for Mansfield’s next attack. More injury problems for the Blue and Whites as Newton, caught by friendly fire, left to have fourteen stitches giving Hooper the chance to display his mobility round the park.

It was increasingly a rear guard action, a penalty put the home side within two points and on three quarter time a try wide on the right pushed them in front for the first time. Stringfellow was the next Mansfield casualty giving Broadhurst his first appearance of the season. Fifteen minutes from time it looked as though victory had been sealed with try number three, the conversion giving a ten point advantage.

That was not the away of it. Clearly out muscled by Melton’s larger pack Mansfield looked for quick tap penalties and Shaw and Jones moved ball out to backs where Wills and Symcox both threatened. Grubb had Broadhurst in support, Crookes turned the defence for Lindsay to breach the 22 and Kirk peeled away to within eight metres.

Another quick tap and drive and Spencer was emerging with his second try, Waggstaff added the two points and Mansfield went into the final five minutes just three pints adrift. Despite Jones and Symcox trying to punt Mansfield into the attack Melton closed the game out and despite their early lead and vibrant rally at the end Mansfield had fallen just short of picking up league points.

Back to league action at Eakring Road this Saturday when Mansfield entertain Northampton Old Scouts who sit two places above them. The record against Old Scouts has been good in their few encounters and with home advantage Mansfield must make the most of their chances and start picking up league points. Kick off at 2.15.

Mansfield III v East Retford II - Away

The long awaited victory for the development youngsters of Mansfield’s third team came in emphatic style on Saturday with the demolition of a weary East Retford 2nd team 108-5. Mansfields forwards were rampant, winning every ball at set piece scrummages and at line outs were able to create great ball for a running back division. Credit goes to East Retford who never dropped their heads but just had no answer to the rampaging youngsters. This was by far the best team performance of the season bringing scores for J. Stevenson 2 trys, A. Stevenson 1 try, Payne 3 trys, Colley 4 trys, Oakden 2 trys, Coupe 2 trys, Middleton 1 try A. Broadhurst 1 try, Marshall 1 try and 9 conversions and a well deserved try to cap off a great performance for man of the match Tim Gibbons.

Mansfield Vets v Whitby – Away

Mansfield went on tour this Saturday to the less than sunny Whitby. On arrival it was soon apparent that they were going to have an easy afternoon with Whitby being short of 6 players. The 45-12 final scoreline showed the strength that Mansfield had in depth. Veteran wingers Cranmer and Garrett stole the show for Mansfield with great individual performances and a brace of tries each. The forwards did the damage up front to pave the way for the evergreen backs. This is an annual vets tour fixture and it is never a pretty affair but the weather held out albeit the wind off the Eastern sea front was chillingly cold. As Whitby were short several Mansfield players donned a Whitby shirt to make a game of it. First blood was scored by Saunders a Mansfield volunteer. It cam from a 5m lineout thrown widely over everyones heads by the Mansfield hooker straight into Saunders arms to take 5 steps to just fall over the line. This was converted to give Whitby a gift start 7-0 up. It all went wrong from here on in, Mansfield coming out comfortable winners in the end but again  gifted Whitby another try in the second half by mis-tackles in the centre. Mansfield man of the match went to L. Garrett.

 

 

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