Mansfield start out on trek to Twickenham
EDF SENIOR VASE ROUND TWO
OADBY WYGGSTONIANS 5 MANSFIELD 49
Mansfield safely negotiated a potential banana skin at Leicester on Saturday as they set out on a seven round marathon that ends at Twickenham in the Spring. Despite missing a handful of experienced, senior players for the tie Mansfield showed their burgeoning youth strength and the depth and competition for places in the club at present. ‘We brought youngsters in key positions and they didn’t let us down,’ commented Coach Steve Shaw. ‘In fact they ran the game and the side for us today, and with a couple of older heads who have been performing for the Seconds you would not have realised we had five of last week’s first choices missing.’
Despite home advantage Oadby struggled to gain much territorial advantage and straight from the kick off they were back peddling. Lindsay collected and Kirk and Spencer crossed half way. Tom Newton moved ball away from the ruck and fit again Storey was given his first run of the afternoon. Spencer took his turn to secure line out ball thirty metres from the line and Shaw, returning to the side from injury, sent Jones and Holmes towards the line. Only the greasy surface could stop Wills as he tried to change direction but the scene was set and Oadby were in for an afternoon of chasing.
More line out ball allowed Shaw to spread the play with Holmes and Spencer before Stringfellow went forward and the home defence went offside. Five minutes into the game and Symcox opened the score with the penalty. Stringfellow was straight back into the action under the restart and Shaw broke before Storey and Symcox exchanged passes but a foot in touch prevented a try.
After both sides tested the deep defence with long kicks Oadby mounted some pressure. The Mansfield defence marshalled from the centre by Rushby and Jones stood firm and Newton and Holmes were more than keen to burst out. The Mansfield pressure at the line out meant that the home team were missing a stream of possession and Wills was able to pin them back into their 22. A good drive from the forwards forced a scrum five and Spencer picked at eight to go blind, slipping a pass to Shaw who dived in for the opening try.
Moving into the second quarter Colley showed glimpses of his speed and elusiveness, Storey beat two men but was just beaten to his chip ahead and Drury emerged from a maul to show the forwards have a running game as well. It was probably over anxiousness to turn their pressure into more points that meant that more risky moves were being attempted and they were punished.
Desperate to get behind the opposition a floated chip ahead was an interception gift to a centre with pace and strength, and once collected Mansfield could only travel in the wake of a seventy-metre sprint. That score buoyed the home support and with just three points between the sides the Blue and Whites needed to re-establish their grip. They were quick to do so as Wills worked them into an attacking position and Lindsay set up the catch and drive. Moving to the line as a unit Newton controlled the ball to the ground and despite Symcox seeing his conversion cannon back off the cross bar Mansfield had a two score gap. That lead became thirteen points within three minutes as Holmes drove Mansfield forward. Stringfellow, Lindsay and Wills spearheaded the attack and Jones twice linked the play first with Spencer then Rushby who seized the try.
Mansfield couldn’t add to their tally before the break despite a Spencer run half the length of the field, Kirk, Simmons and Newton breaking the gain line and another Storey run.
The second half began with a flurry of activity. Holmes seized home line ball and darted clear. Lindsay was thwarted by an accidental offside before Mansfield worked the ball wide to Colley. There was no apparent danger but the winger launched away with weaving through five men before accelerating to the posts. The Symcox conversion convinced those round the ground that this going to be Mansfield’s tie.
Pritchard had emerged from the bench after injury and twice appeared to lead Mansfield forward. The second run with Simmons gave a platform for Lindsay to feed Storey and Spencer before the award of a five-metre scrum. It was close to being a push over try but it took two drives before Stringfellow was able to claim the try and Symcox converted.
Despite the inevitability of the result now there was plenty off action to entertain. Coleman moved into the front row but was soon in a pack of seven as Holmes went to the sin bin. Mansfield weathered the man disadvantage and after Pritchard made vital yards Symcox was able to improvise a chip forward and Storey went over in the corner.
Pogmore replaced Kirk and from his opening throw direct to Lindsay was at the heart of the action. Having successfully negotiated his first seventy minutes of the season Shaw gave way to Blythe, the youngest of the Mansfield Youth, and he arrived with a flourish.
His quick hands allowed the Blue and Whites to use a Colley break to send ball down the line and Storey claimed his second try. The youngster then showed bravery in the tackle before darting bravely through the opposition back row and giving Pritchard his come back try.
This weekend sees the World Cup Final coincide with Mansfield’s longest away trip of the league programme. Their kick off time at Glossop has been brought forward to 2 p.m. that means an early 10 a.m. meet at Eakring Road but allows time for the squad and supporters to be back in the clubhouse to cheer England on. The club was buzzing on Saturday for the Semi final and Supper and a great atmosphere is guaranteed for the Final and Feast!
