Wake up call in Derby drubbing
MIDLANDS 2 EAST
DERBY 47 MANSFIELD 5
Mansfield began their new season with a disappointing bump away at Derby, still waiting for their first ever win at the Haslams ground. The result belies the effort of the Mansfield pack and how evenly matched the forwards were. The problems were behind the scrum where poor Mansfield tackling allowed an inventive and tactically well drilled set of backs the chance to show off their party tricks.
The problems came right from the start. Mansfield’s kick off put the home side under pressure but as they cleared their lines up field a careless, late tackle presented a first minute penalty within 30 metres. Far from hitting the ground running and looking to unsettle Derby the Blue and Whites were facing an uphill battle.
From the restart Stringfellow disrupted but Derby managed enough of a platform to launch their backs forward. Tackles from Pritchard and Storey arrested play around the 22 and Newbould did well to make himself first to a chip over the top and let Mansfield drive out through Smedley and Ashley.
A high tackle on Wills gave Mansfield the chance to clear their lines but the resulting line out was lost and Derby created another penalty opportunity. The sight of the ball sliding wide was a temporary respite as the 22 drop out was developed through two waves of three quarter moves and a tenth minute try in the corner.
The kick off again saw Mansfield trying to force a path into the home 22 but being forced back to defend. Holmes stole vital ball on his own half and Storey burst clear only to be body checked without any penalty against Derby. The Mansfield pack drove strongly to take the next scrum and win line ball fifteen metres out. A co-ordinated drive through Pritchard with Crookes and Smedley progressing down the touch line gave another chance from six metres and the Blue and Whites capitalised.
The catch and drive saw Mansfield as a unit with Stringfellow shepherding and skipper Kirk securing the touchdown. Jones’s conversion faded into the wind but with an 8-5 scoreline at the end of the first quarter the travelling support were optimistic.
A series of long kicks from both sides saw Wills and Robinson testing the agility of the Derby back three but equally they had to be alert turning to defend. The difference between the sides then emerged. As the Blue and Whites looked to clear their lines Derby were determined to spring forward with ball in hand. Their adventure was aided and abetted by some slack Mansfield defending, players committing themselves in isolation and too many missed first tackles.
On twenty four minutes a try was conjured on the right. Tremendous tackling from Holmes, Wills and Newton prevented more until a brace in the space of two minutes, the second run from their own line saw the home side bag nineteen unanswered points in the second quarter.
Occasional rallies with Ashley and Smedley using the blindside, Jones breaking from deep, Grubb and Arnold nearly breaching the centre and replacement Waterhouse kicking over the Derby backs were not enough to create clear chances or even a period of sustained territorial pressure.
The chances of turning round a 27-5 half time deficit were slim and straight from the kick off they worsened. Looking to force their way back Mansfield were penalised going over the top and started another half giving away three points from a penalty.
Wills managed a half break but the Mansfield drive ended with a knock on. Smedley’s tackle allowed Newton to break with Kirk and Crookes in support and Holmes made twenty metres before releasing the backs only for Arnold to be pulled up for holding on as he passed off the ground in sight of the posts.
Mansfield rang the changes up front with Crookes giving way to Harrison and continued to impress in the forwards. However, the combination of good passing and poor tackling saw Derby stretch out to 35-5 in the fifty third minute. Quick tap penalties from Stringfellow failed to create the platform for a revival, Harrison tied loose ball on the floor with Jones reacting to move forward but most of the Mansfield work was to shore up their defence.
Despite a lot of territory and possession, Derby UKD were unable to break down stubborn Mansfield defence until the final 10 minutes. Again it was tries in quick succession that rounded off the day. A try with ten minutes to go, accompanied by a yellow card for Waterhouse was followed 4 minutes later, with a run from their own half and Derby sprinting clear of the Mansfield defence to touch down in the corner.
The final acts saw Lindsay make a foray into the home 22, Wills cover seventy metres to prevent a breakaway try before going off with an injured shoulder and Mansfield at least finish the game on the attack. Pritchard and Storey went close after a Grubb charge down but not even a consolation score came to lift the gloom in the Mansfield camp at the final whistle.
‘We made too many errors and a good side like Derby will punish you’ summed up Coach Steve Shaw. ‘Every man knows what let us down today and we will be doubling the effort in training this week to iron out the basic errors.’
This weekend Mansfield travel to another of the sides tipped for promotion when they take the road to Hinckley. The Leicestershire side won their opening encounter 30-14 away at Northampton Old Scouts, running in 4 tries. It is sure to be a day full of Masarella’s as Mansfield look to avenge a narrow and controversial defeat of three seasons’ ago.
Mansfield II v Derby Development - Home
An excellent all round team performance was required by Mansfield 2nd’s to overcome Derby 28 – 24 in an epic encounter that saw the lead change hands on a regularly. Mansfield knew they were in for a tough afternoon when within 30 mins to KO they had a bare 15 names down to play, which included 3 debutants, although they were able to call on the experience of the former double cup winning 2nd team captain Richard Soar to provide front row cover on the bench.
The game set off at a scorching pace that didn’t let up for the full 80 minutes despite the stifling heat. Derby struck early with a try near the posts but Mansfield were able to hit back after a period of pressure in Derby’s 22. Several forward drives and surges from the backs broke down before a classic lineout catch and drive was finished off by R. Broadhurst. This pattern was to continue for much of the game. Tries from Derby were matched by another score from Broadhurst and a well worked move that was finished off by winger L. Garrett.
The heat and pressure began to tell a little in the final quarter as mistakes began to creep in and both sides gave away penalties. Derby managed one more try that was cancelled out by a score from Broadhurst to complete his hat-trick, with a pick up from the base of a text book scrummage from the Mansfield pack of which had been bolstered by the arrival of Soar into the fray. The game remained tight all the way up until the final whistle as Wagstaff held his nerve to slot home two testing penalties in the last few minutes to regain and then extend the lead to seal the game.
Good debut performances from young players Stewart, Collier and in particular Hadley who showed great promise for the future.
Mansfield III v Coalville Development – Away
Mansfield 3rd string were out gunned in every department by what can only be described as a bigger, stronger and faster side losing 78-0. Coalville fielded a 30 strong squad for what turned out to be a training game for them. If ever there was a mis match of side strengths this was it. Credit was due to the whole Mansfield team who kept their heads up high throughout the game. Huge performances from youngsters Oakden and Butler who defended galiantly in the centre of the park
Mansfield IV v North Kesteven I - Home
After a narrow defeat to Paviors 22-17 in the first week of the season, Mansfield 4ths looked to bounce straight back with a home tie against a strong looking North Kesteven outfit and eventually came out 28-12 winners. Although Mansfield more than matched the opposition in the first half North still ended 12-0 up. Mansfield came out to the 2nd period with an extra step in their stride and almost instantly pulled back the North lead with a good forward driving finished by A. Stevenson on his 4th team debut.
This was shortly followed by a breakaway try by replacement P. Briggs which sent the 4ths into overdrive with another replacement Paul, scoring 2 more tries for Mansfield. D. Marshall converted all 4 of his kicks to bring Mansfield out 28 to 12 winners rounding off a good all round team performance.
Mansfield Vets v Doncaster Vets – Away
Mansfield travelled away to Doncaster with only 14 men which did not set them up for a good start to the season. Doncaster came out eventual winners 28-12 in what turned out to be a game of two halves. Doncaster scored 3 quick tries in the first half due to soft missed tackles. After a grilling from captain Harris at half time the veteran forwards showed what they were made of. With the game raised another 50 percent they went to work on the hosts. Gruelling scrummaging from Mansfield saw them win more than their fair share of ball but basic handling errors let them down. Mansfield’s first try came from a lineout deep in Doncaster’s 22 and the resulting driving maul.
Pushed on with ease saw Sykes go over for the points. Mansfield Vets were back! This triggered the side into gear. The handling improved drastically which saw Cartwright put Hardwick in for an easy score. This was duly converted by Pruden. Mansfield now felt they were back in the game and with every chance to win but time ran out and with a late score from Doncaster it was all over. The overall consensus was that the team took too long to get going which will be a lesson learnt for future Vet games. |
