  |
| |
Mansfield Colts - 5 v Dunstablian Colts – 6
Mansfield Colts entertained Luton based Dunstablians on Sunday afternoon in the first round of the National Colts Plate eventually losing an extremely close encounter 6-5. Playing with the benefit of the slope in the first period but into a strong wind that favoured their opponents, Mansfield dominated possession and territory only to come up against a determined and well organised defence that prevented them converting their superiority into a meaningful lead. Mansfield did have a penalty opportunity on ten minutes but in driving rain and near artic conditions, the kick drifted wide. The deadlock was eventually broken on 20 minutes when line ball was secured mid way in the Dunstablians half and the forwards drove towards the line. The drive appeared to be halted 5 metres short but quick thinking from captain Mike Lowery to free himself from the tangle and carry the ball over. The difficult conversion was again held up in the wind and missed to make the half time score 5-0 to the home side. The second period proved to be a different story with the visitors regrouping during the interval and the strong wind of the first period subsiding. The gap was closed to two points with a penalty after 10 minutes who had certainly upped their game and were showing more intensity at the breakdown. The contest was very even with both sides spurning opportunities to score, in the case of Mansfield poor decision making in the opponents 22 and silly penalties conceded were to prove to be their downfall. The game was finally decided 3 minutes into second half stoppage time when Mansfield were adjudged to have killed the ball at a ruck in front of the posts, the simple kick was successfully converted. Almost immediately from the restart Mansfield were awarded a penalty on half way but the difficult kick fell agonisingly short and it is Dunstablians who progress
|
|
|