Mansfield Colts - 33 v Matlock Colts – 0
Mansfield Colts put last week's shambles at Nottingham behind them with a more convincing 33-0 win over a committed Matlock side at Eakring Road on Sunday afternoon. In a stuttering first half performance the Blue and Whites only had a converted try from inspirational captain Mike Lowery to show for their dominance as they spurned numerous try scoring opportunities with the final pass not going to hand. The pattern of the first half was repeated after the break with Mansfield running in four unanswered tries but still missing good opportunities to score. The first score came from Tommy Blythe, playing out of position on the wing, who picked up the ball in broken play just outside the 22 and evaded a number of tackles to score under the posts. Hooker Danny Ellis then capped a superb personal performance scoring the next try and setting up the fourth. The ball was secured from a line out just inside the Matlock half and taken on by the forwards, thanks to some great offloading in the tackle which sucked in the defenders the ball eventually came to Ellis 25 metres out who sprinted clear to score. Then, straight from the re-start Ellis collected the ball on his own 10 metre, broke a couple of tackles before eventually being dragged down on the Matlock 22 but showed great awareness to off load to Sean Symcox in support who did the rest.
The scoring was completed by John Kingswood who crashed over to complete an excellent team move, Jordan Bailey re-discovered his kicking boots with 4 successes from 5 attempts to make the final score 33-0.
Mansfield U15 - 22 v Morpeth U15 – 7
Mansfield entertained Morpeth on a Sunday morning made for running rugby, and both sides duly delivered a great display. Fresh from their meeting with Newark on the Saturday, Morpeth arrived hoping to take two wins back from their tour, however, the home side had other ideas. The opening quarter was very much a feeling out period in which both sides looked to be adventurous in attack, but were also proving solid in defence. From a scrum the Morpeth boys took the attack to the blind side, and fed their Newcastle Falcons academy winger who made ground before being hauled down short of the line. From the resulting clearance Mansfield went on the attack, with their backs showing good hands and their winger was held just short. The pack arrived in numbers and quick ball was fed to Matt Hubbard, who crashed over to open the scoring. From the restart Morpeth again went on the attack, and a missed tackle led to their centre scoring the try which was converted to give them the lead at half time. The second half pace didn't falter and both sides delivered much of the same, with Mansfield camped in the Morpeth 22 the inevitable try came with the skipper James Ford powering over for a try which was converted by Adam Newton. From the restart Mansfield once again made ground to the Morpeth line through good carries from the forwards, linked with powerful surges from the backline. A catch and drive from a lineout gave Ford the opportunity to score his second of the day, and give the home side a little breathing space. Morpeth continued to press and looked likely to score any time the home defence was breached, however, Mansfield stayed firm in defence, and when, from a scrum the backline released Craig Cooley, the winger showed his pace to round the Morpeth defence and score the try which brought the final whistle. A thoroughly entertaining game saw newcomer Ben Hubball show his new team mates what he is capable of, the Morpeth coach decided man of the match for a captains performance went to James Ford. We look forward to meeting the Lads from Morpeth again at some time and wish them well.
