Mansfield top of tree at Christmas
MIDLANDS 3 EAST (NORTH)
GRIMSBY 5 MANSFIELD 29
Mansfield notched another away win, their sixth, to sit alongside the draw at Loughborough as they turned into the home straight of the league campaign. Six of the last ten games are at home, including their three closest rivals needing to breach fortress Eakring Road. ‘It is very much in our hands and a three point gap at this stage was better than we might have expected’ was the Christmas message of Coach Steve Shaw. ‘The squad have given a lot of entertainment and a lot of points but have known how to dog it out when needed. We now need more of the same in 2008 and promotion in April.’
This game was always going to be a ‘dog it out’ day as Grimsby with their reputation for strong, spoiling forward play attempted to deny Mansfield the space and time to develop their expansive running rugby. That given, plus the dank conditions and three changes to a reshuffled back line the Blue and Whites did create enough to threaten the home try line several times and cross it five times.
A lively start saw Mansfield follow their kick off and have early success with a back row move off a scrum and Holmes using a quick tap penalty to release Jones and Wilson for Pritchard to be hauled down inches from the line. Another scrum move from Holmes with Shaw and it was Wilson being held up over the line. Despite a knock on Mansfield proved too strong at the next scrum pushing Grimsby off their own ball but it was Jones and Stringfellow finding the defensive line managing to kill the impetus.
Grimsby attempted to move the ball away with a drive from the 22 but Drury was strong in the tackle and came away with possession. The glimmer of an opening was all that Mansfield needed. Wills deftly chipped the retreating line of defence and Wilson surged through to hack, then dribble to the posts for an eighth minute opening try, converted by Robinson.
Stringfellow’s catch from the restart was the base for Shaw, Kirk and Holmes to gain territory and Hooper burst into the home 22. Again the defence held but found their clearance being worked back by Shaw and Robinson who angled his kick to within 15 metres.
On twenty minutes Rowbottom was in the action with a much-needed tackle by the touchline and then linking a Rushby, Robinson attack. The Mansfield back row were plundering enough turn over ball and as Newton wrestled clear Rushby, Wills, Wilson and a sprightly Pritchard went close to running in second try.
That was not to arrive until eight minutes from the interval. Despite an exciting blindside break by Shaw, a six man passing move diagonally across field and Simmons and Newton carrying the ball some thirty metres frustration was growing as ball was slowed to a standstill at the breakdown. Eventually the referee’s patience ran out and a yellow card for persistent killing of the ball gave Mansfield ten minutes with the extra man.
They needed no second invitation to make that man pay. Excellent tight forward play saw Pritchard catch line out ball and then ground as Mansfield marched over the line. Two minutes later and Mansfield were back again. The kick off was fed to Stringfellow, he had Simmons supporting and having scampered another 20 metres saw Jones and Wilson outside him deftly interchanging passes before the second of a hat trick of tries for Wilson.
That try also eased Mansfield through the 700-point mark in competitive games this season. Since only 27 have come from penalties and drop goals a testament to the style of rugby the side have adopted.
Looking for more of the same in the second half a determined Grimsby, and difficult conditions in the gathering gloom, Mansfield found themselves frustrated. Hooper and Drury made space and Wills ghosted past three men but found his chip producing no more than a scrum. The introduction of Taylor and Spencer began three consecutive Mansfield scrums but stout defence with just a Shaw, Robinson combination looking to threaten the line.
Grimsby were enjoying their best spell of the game and gave unexpected hope to their support with a fifty fifth minute try which should have been converted to trim the lead to ten points. Clearly stung by this and with Grant joining the fray Mansfield stepped up a gear. Wills, Rushby and Rowbottom stretched the defence and when Shaw had the opportunity for a quick penalty Stringfellow powered over. The two extra points from Robinson eased Mansfield up to 24-5 and took the wind out of the Grimsby sails.
A combination of forward drives as Taylor dominated at the line out, Kirk taking ball against the head and Shaw and Wilson creating a 50 metre break from their own 22 all promised more points. However, Mansfield had to settle for just five more. Camped on the Grimsby 22 a solid scrum saw Holmes pick up, Shaw take the pass and feed Wills who chipped into the space in front of Wilson and the centre claimed his third try. Robinson’s conversion rebounded from the upright and despite Rowbottom and Rushby nearly squeezing in down the touchline the final tally was 29-5.
The Christmas and New Year holidays and ‘social’ rugby means a break from competitive action for the First Team until second placed Spalding come to Eakring Road on January 5th. They will arrive with an impressive record since defeat to the Blue and Whites at the beginning of November. Marching on in the EDF Senior Vase, including winning at Stoke where Mansfield had floundered in the previous round, they have watched slip ups by Coalville allow them into second spot, just three points behind their hosts.
