Mansfield II - 17 v Loughborough II - 35
Mansfield 2nd XV had to reshuffle their line up in the 11th hour and it showed on the field with a bad day at the office performance going back in eventual losers 17-35. Loughborough came well prepared and ran a lot quick ball through their large forwards presenting Mansfield early problems with possession. Set pieces were solid for Mansfield dominating the scrummage and holding their own in the lineouts. At 7-22 at half time the first half was definitely Loughbooroughs but Mansfield did make an impression in the latter stages of the half with a well deserved try from a catch and drive 5m out. In the 2nd half Mansfield continued to make a game of it but missed tackles was the clear difference between the two sides on the day with Loughborough taking full advantage to take the deserved win.
Nottinghamshire RFU Security Plus Pennant – Group 5
Mellish III - 12 v Mansfield IV – 13
Mansfield 4ths came away from Mellish on Mapperley Top on Saturday with their unbeaten league record intact finally winning 12-13. Mansfield led the game all the way until 15 mins from the end when Mellish slotted over their 4th penalty to go ahead 12-10.The score stayed that way until the last play of the game when relentless attacking play from Mansfield resulted in a penalty which was slotted over by D. Marrows to give Mansfield a narrow victory 13 points to 12.Mansfields other scores came from a try each for a A. Berryman and B. Bragg. Man of the Match award went to Daniel Marrows.
Mansfield Vets - 5 v Old Boys Spartans II – 10
The first gathering of an elite, albeit ageing, group of men embarked in an inaugural fixture for Mansfield’s Veterans side. A rearrangement of opponents saw local side Spartans test themselves against a Mansfield side not lacking in experience and enthusiasm. The game ended on a sour note due to a horrific injury 5-10 to Spartans. Selecting a side of size and power rather than pace and fitness, the front row of B. Davies, A. Smith and D. Searson were only going to go in one direction. With some players donning boots for the first time in a decade, it took a short spell for things to settle down and for fly half S. Fletcher to find his first touch kick in 6 attempts. Spartans quickly adapted their game plan away from the strength game more to the open running game to try and nullify any advantage the home side had. N. Keeling, showing no signs of jet lag flying in from Antigua via Bratislava, was strong in defence centre field as he thwarted many an attack with battering ram partner R. Radford. Fullback R. Leeson was solid at the back clearing his lines well, until a kick and chase exposed a piece of positional naivety and R. Draper touched down for the first unconverted score for the visitors. An undeterred Mansfield stepped up their game with wings T. Smith and V. Reeves becoming more prominent in both attack and defence, until a piece of forwards domination that wouldn’t look out of place in the 1st team brought the scores level. Leaping well beyond his years M. Davies secured perfect line out possession 30 yards from the opposition line and the once well drilled pack started to advance on the opposing line. Ably marshalled by the swashbuckling S. Cowlishaw and the ubiquitous scrum half P. Stevenson, it was J. Tasker Snr that appeared from the bottom of the pile of bodies that was only stopped by the whistle of referee I. McNicholas to indicate a score. Fly half Fletcher continued his off day with his kicking by missing the conversion. Going in all square 5-5, the half time break in proceedings allowed much needed fluids to be taken on board, which had opposing effects on the Mansfield second row partnership. M. Lowe appeared to have drank too much whilst the rejuvenated S. Sharp was attacking from every opportunity. Another chip through by the impressive Spartans fly half exposed a lack of pace at the back which allowed R. Draper to touch down for his 2nd try just after the break, again the conversation being missed giving the score of 10-5 to the visitors. Identifying the need for fresh legs J. Tasker Jnr took to the field to add some much needed vitality to the proceedings. Fletcher’s miserable day with the boot continued with another poor restart and Spartans were on the attack yet again, and as Spartans R. Draper broke clear for what would have been his hat trick try 10 mins into the second half. Play was halted as a serious leg injury was sustained by Draper after a tackle by Radford on the Mansfield line. Much to the relief of many, the referee abandoned the game to allow the correct medical assistance be given to the prostrate Draper. Although losing 5-10 captain Lowe was pleased with the performance commenting “We aimed to entertain and give the paying public what they wanted to see. The rugby wasn’t expansive but quite a few waist lines were. At least we’ve got a month to recover until the next game on 22nd Dec”
