Champions
Paviors 15 Mansfield 24
Mansfield U17’s played Paviors on Sunday in their third consecutive N.L.D. final and gained a hat trick of wins with a hard fought 24-15 victory.
Mansfield kicked off and from the start put Paviors under pressure, which they maintained, playing most of the rugby in the opposition 22 for the first quarter. However, resolute defence and kicking for touch kept Mansfield out until on 15 minutes, a Paviors infringement allowed the blue and whites to kick for touch. The forwards collected the line out ball and drove for the try line only to be held up just short. The ball was recycled and played quickly through the hands out to Callum Wood, who broke through the defence to score near the posts. Ross Elms added the two points and Mansfield looked comfortable at 7-0.
Mansfield took the game back to Paviors from the restart but could not break through the defence and with 5 minutes to go to the break Paviors ventured into the Mansfield half first time and were awarded a penalty. Jonty Green caught Mansfield knapping with a quick tap, released James Molyneux who found Tom Gamage to score under the posts. Tom Fox converted to level the score.
Mansfield had time for one more attack; forcing Paviors to kill the ball in their 22, to give Elms the opportunity to slot over the penalty and give them a 10-7 half time lead.
Mansfield received the ball from the re-start and again started to play rugby in Paviors territory but, against the run of play Duggie Billam intercepted a pass and raced to the line to score. The conversion went wide to leave the blue and whites trailing 10-12. Mansfield’s response was quick and decisive; the ball was secured and then played swiftly to one wing, recycled from the ensuing ruck and then passed swiftly in the opposite direction for Ryan Hough to out sprint the defence to go over out wide. Elms made no mistake to give Mansfield the lead at 17-12.
Paviors responded well to the challenge and had a period of pressure in the Mansfield half, where they forced the blue and whites defence to concede two penalties. The first they tried to run but, strong defence repelled the threat. With the second, they decided points were needed and Fox slotted over to reduce the deficit to 17-15.
The game was finely balanced until Mansfield secured possession at a scrum, played the ball wide for Hough to collect his second try and Elms his third conversion. This gave Mansfield a 24-15 lead which they held until the final whistle.
This was an excellent game of rugby which had both sets of supporters on edge right until the end
