Away rule heartache for Mansfield
Nottinghamshire Senior Cup Semi Final
MANSFIELD 17 NEWARK 17
There were gasps of amazement and heads shaken, as men with centuries of rugby experience stood in the Mansfield bar after this game. All spoke of a sight none had witnessed before. With the scores levelled and just three minutes of extra time remaining Wayne Robinson struck a conversion kick from wide left by touch. It looked just short, then it looked just over then the ball dropped directly onto the top of the crossbar an bounced straight up. As it came back down on the bar maybe a slight gust of wind or the collective sharp intakes of breath brought it infield and not over. Those moments later the sides stood in collective respect and fatigue as officials confirmed that with both sides scoring three tries, both converting one into a goal the away side would be awarded the tie and go forward to meet Paviors in the final. From the start there was no hint of the drama to follow and worrying signs for the Blue and Whites as Newark started the quicker putting pressure on the Mansfield defence with men to the break down in numbers.
Despite a sweeping three-quarter move out to the strong running Colley it was the visitors who dominated the first seven minutes and crowned it with a try. A decisive break in mid field had Mansfield scrambling for cover and despite tackles by Jones, Holmes and Newton Newark had men over to score in the left corner. Putting the early blow behind them Wilson probed the opposition defence, Taylor peeling away from the line out, where Mansfield outperformed their opposition throughout the afternoon, Pritchard and Drury were prominent as the maul rolled forward twenty metres. Jones and Colley looped round but were squeezed into touch and Wills turned the defence with a mix of chips wide to the wing and tricky grubber kicks. Unforced errors and fumbles in possession by both sides made for a stop start passage of play before Grant broke clear with Jones, AIPS Man of the Match, on his shoulder to feed Newton and Davies as Mansfield began to dominate territorially. Ash linked with Grant and Spencer and Robinson and Storey swept sixty metres after collecting a high ball. The pressure was telling and after a high tackle on Wills Newark faced the first eight minutes of the second period a man short. It only took four of them for Mansfield to move back on level terms. Clean ball at the line out and Holmes interchanged passes with Jones and Mansfield's forwards drove to within eight metres. A penalty, line out Taylor setting up the drive and Spencer after a month's albescence was back with a try. In the blustery condition Robinson's conversion was inches wide. Both sides were committing men to cover defence and immovable objects were holding out against the irresistible forces. Wills chipped ahead and was unfortunate that the referee was unsighted as he was tripped, Wilson just failed to capitalise in a race to the line and Storey cutting inside found one defender too many. As they moved into the final quarter Newark found the forward strength to go ahead.
A line out on the 22 was the platform and a well-marshalled pack rumbled over for a try and conversion. Tom Newton replaced Holmes and he appeared in midfield with Wilson to set free Storey but as he crossed the line play was called back for an earlier knock on. Davies showed strength and Simmons on for Drury broke two tackles as Jones again moved Mansfield forward. Storey once more, Colley pirouetting through three sets of arms and Robinson coming into the line all pressed for the vital score. Finally with just four minutes left Mansfield's line out peeled infield and drove to the line. A scrum was called and Davies quickly fed Wills who accelerated through the narrowest of gaps and a startled Newark defence under the posts. Robinson's conversion saw the score move to 12-12 and into two ten-minute periods of extra time. Mansfield working hard took Newark ball against the head. Wilson nearly released Colley but Newark were the first to strike. From midfield the appeared to be running out of space but missed tackles left just enough room for a score in the corner. For the final period of the game Pogmore arrived with a run and link with Kirk, Colley won a penalty and Mansfield kicked to within eight metres.The line out was executed precisely and with the pack looking to be held up on the Newark line Jones raced out of the three quarters to add his weight and strength to tip the scales and his ball handling to touch down. High drama, but it was not as dramatic as that conversion attempt that will be remembered for years to come. Over two semi finals Mansfield have competed against a side flying high in Division Two, only three points between them in 180 minute of rugby and can look forward to being more than competitive up there next season. That was the determined view form Players and Coaches as they overcame their disappointment on Saturday night. Mansfield are not in action on Easter Saturday when the Eakring Road ground will be taken over by a Family Fun Day in aid of the Billy Stonier Appeal. Starting at 2 p.m. there will be competitions, games and events to kick off the Easter celebrations. The following Saturday the ground will be restored to rugby fettle for the visit of Coalville. Always in the pack looking for promotion they will be a stern test as Mansfield seek the points to confirm them as Champions, kick off at 3 p.m.
