SENIOR RESULTS
Mansfield hit
rock bottom
Midlands 2 East
MANSFIELD 18
HINCKLEY 26
A dream
start but eventual heartache for Mansfield as the chance to pick up home league
points were squandered and results elsewhere saw them drop to the foot of the
table. Three games to go and Mansfield sit on seven points with the next four
sides on eleven or less. The mathematics could take the decision on who goes
down right up to the last game of the season but Mansfield must take points to
ensure a last day victory over Melton Mowbray can pull off an escape act.
Mansfield
kicked off with the wind at their backs playing uphill. For the next two minutes
Hinckley demonstrated their game plan keeping the ball alive and whether forward
or back quick hands and off loads stretched Mansfield defence across the field.
Taylor, Rushby and Holmes brought runs to an end and Roberts and Grant both
moved play back to the 22.
The sense
of adventure took one step too many and a long pass was read by Storey near the
half way line and the winger’s speed carried him clear of the chasing defenders
under the posts. Jones’ conversion made the score 7-0 at the end of Mansfield’s
first possession and just the start the side needed.
From the
restart Roberts charged at the visitors and winning a penalty Mansfield moved
play over half way. The blustery wind carried the throw to the line out off
straight and Hinckley capitalised from the scrum. Beginning with a back row move
they moved the ball right apparently with Mansfield covering and closing down.
The only option of a chip over for the corner should have been tidied up but
hesitation, an awkward bounce and a swift follow up from the Hinckley wing saw a
try and Mansfield pegged back to 7-5.
Despite a
steady steam of line out ball via Lindsay, whose awareness round the park saw
him named the AIPS Man of the Match, and the running of Kirk, Roberts and Holmes
the Blue and Whites could go no closer than five metres. Symcox ran a long
clearance back and linked with Drury before kicking Mansfield 50 metres down
field. Mansfield failed to hold their own put in at an attacking scrum and
Storey was called on to make two crucial tackles. On fifteen minutes Mansfield
cracked in the face of barbarian style fluid rugby that again sent the Hinckley
wing speeding to the corner and a 10-7 lead.
Worse was
to follow. Despite Taylor linking with his three quarters and a penalty to take
Mansfield forward when Symcox kicked ahead a block tackle went unnoticed and
unpunished. Collecting the ball Hinckley swept seventy metres round the
Mansfield defence and into a 15-7 advantage. Mansfield were forced to reshuffle
as Rushby limped out of the game and Taylor dropped into the backs with
Stringfellow marking his introduction by getting a hand to the restart. Roberts
used the boot to send Mansfield within 5 metres but a series of frustrations at
interpretation of the breakdown saw him despatched to the sin bin for ten
minutes.
Despite the
extra man Hinckley were struggling to cope with a determined Mansfield as Drury
stole line ball, Jones angled a kick behind their defence and Taylor released
Wills. Kirk, Holmes and Stringfellow moved play from the Mansfield half and
Jones deftly kicked Mansfield onto the attack. Arnold took the direct line
through the opposition but as the move petered out the half time whistle
prevented any reduction in the Hinckley lead.
Mansfield
needed a positive start to the second half but instead the long kick off was
knocked on and Hinckley were presented with an attacking platform under the
Mansfield posts. Drives to the line showed the mettle of the home defence and
after Pritchard made a break form the line out Jones twisted clear of four
tackles and out of the 22. At the breakdown Mansfield hands manoeuvred the ball
on the ground and an easy penalty made the gap between the sides eleven
points.
The next
five minutes saw Robinson emerging from the bench to add fresh legs to a rampant
Mansfield pack. Holmes went to within a metre, twice Mansfield were pulled back
from the try line for 5 metre scrums as Pritchard, and Stringfellow tried to
force a way over and Shaw made a dart for the blindside. Finally Roberts let his
rugby do the talking and powered across to move the score to 18-12.
That proved
to be the overture for Wills to put in a virtuoso run from his own to 22 half
the length of the field. Arnold brushed aside tacklers and Storey was within
inches of eluding the visitor’s defence. Another link between Roberts and
Pritchard put Mansfield in front of the posts and Jones stroked the penalty
over. A quarter to go and just three points behind the Blue and Whites looked to
have the momentum for victory.
Stringfellow, Drury, Kirk and Holmes drove Mansfield forward; Shaw just put a
foot in touch when linking with Arnold as the play became more frenetic.
Hinckley were still looking to combine their slick ball skills with long probing
kicks but found Symcox secure. They did manage to turn the home defence and
importantly force a line out ten metres out. It may prove that this was the
pivotal moment of Mansfield’s season. The catch and drive well executed they
forced themselves over for try number four.
As the
clock ran down Jones bolstered Mansfield with a penalty and a converted try
could have won the game but three points for the visitors cancelled that out and
with it a brave, spirited Mansfield performance. As results elsewhere came in it
showed that Mansfield were not without hope but had slipped down to the foot of
the table and would need every point on offer to ensure they stay up.
This weekend sees the Blue and Whites
put their County Cup on the line at West Bridgford. Eight consecutive wins is a
record that they will be keen to add to but many at the club will remember that
the last defeat in the Notts. Cup came at West Bridgford when they travelled as
a higher placed side and favourites. Injuries and unavailability mean coach
Steve Smith has been forced to make changes but will be taking the strongest
available selection in search for a morale-boosting win before the final games
of the season. Kick off at West Bridgford is at 2.30
CLICK FOR ALL THE OTHER MIDLANDS 2 EAST RESULTS,
COURTESY OF RUGBY ROUND-UP
