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Mansfield Colts - 32 v Nottingham Colts – 24
Mansfield Colts enterertained local rivals Nottingham in the 3 Counties League on Sunday afternoon with the Blue and Whites eventually winning 32-24 leaving them top of the pile going into Christmas and rounding off an excellent 2007 for the reigning NLD Champions. Mansfield started the game hesitantly with small mistakes allowing a seemingly better motivated Nottingham team to dominate the first 10 minutes with Mansfield struggling to get out of their own half. A chip through by Nottingham and a good follow-up gave the visitors their first try of the afternoon which was converted by their No10 whose goal kicking was exemplary all afternoon. This prompted Mansfield to put together some of the best rugby they have played this season and for twenty minutes they completely dominated the game. It all started with a series of rucks cleared out aggressively and Danny Spencer steam rolling on to a popped pass, breaking the first tackle and then dragging the last defender over the line to notch the first score for Mansfield. This was followed by another almost identical score by Edward Simmonds who crashed over from short range and then U17 Joseph Symcox touched down wide out after the forwards had drove through a series of rucks and mauls which created space out wide. With two successful conversions and a penalty from Jordan Bailey the score was 22 - 7 and Mansfield appeared to be cruising to victory. Unfortunately Nottingham had other ideas and just before half time after going through several phases they scored their second try out wide when the stretched Mansfield defence couldn't get sufficient numbers across to close down the space. Half time score Mansfield 22 Nottingham 14. After half time Nottingham enjoyed their best period of the game and scored a converted try and penalty, but Mansfield dissected those scores with an unconverted try by Declan Dykes to leave the game tentatively poised 27 - 22 to the home side. Mansfield dug deep to finish strongly and following some excellent driving play close to the Nottingham try line Danny Spencer appeared from underneath a pile of bodies to secure his second try and Mansfield finished with a well deserved victory 32 - 24.
Newark U17 - 5 v Mansfield U17 – 47
Mansfield U17’s traveled to Newark this weekend to play their re-arranged N.L.D. league match and cemented their position at the top of the table with a 47-5 victory. The first twenty minutes were evenly contested as Mansfield absorbed the pressure from a much improved Newark XV, who used tactical kicking to the corners to gain territorial advantage. However, Mansfield took the lead with their first venture into the home 22. The ball was secured at a scrum and recycled through a number of phases before Jordan Bettridge collected the ball and broke the defence to score near the posts. Ross Elms made no mistake with the simple conversion to give the visitors a 7-0 lead. Mansfield started to take control of the game from this point with the forwards winning more possession and from a scrum against the head the ball was swung wide for Jonathan Cordin to find the gap through the defence and score; with Elms kicking the conversion. The increased pressure produced a third try with the pack moving the ball forwards towards the 22 before releasing it down the back line to Ryan Hough who sprinted through to score in the corner. Elms converted the difficult kick from out wide to give Mansfield a 21 – 0 lead. The half was brought to a close when the ball was won at a 5.0m line out and the forwards drove over the try line with Ellis Keegan pealing from the back to score. Elms bisected the posts to give the Blue and Whites a 28-0 half time lead. The second period started with Mansfield dominating territory but stout Newark defence kept the visitors out until Jonathan Cordin picked up a loose ball and moved out wide drawing the defence before giving an overhead pass for Keegan to dive over for his second. The lead was further extended when Gareth Gripton picked up at No8 and drove at the Newark back line before releasing Cordin to out sprint the cover for his second. John-Ross Ward converted to give Mansfield a 40 – 0 lead. The forwards continued to pressure the Newark pack and Gripton capped a fine performance when he used his strength to power over near the posts. Ward slotted over to take the score to 47-0. The Newark team never gave up and were rewarded for their efforts when their Prop drove over the line from a penalty 5.0m out to give a final score of 47-5.
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