Mansfield show their credentials
BURTON 28 MANSFIELD 25
A defeat for the Blue and Whites but at the end of proceedings the Mansfield camp were buzzing with delight at the manner of their performance against high flying Burton who are tipped to step up into Midlands One next season. Taking this fixture on an afternoon when many of the other clubs were resting was always a tough call. Trips to Burton down the years have not seen much success but this Mansfield outfit pushed their hosts every inch of the way in game with the intensity of any league or cup encounter.
The opening minutes saw Burton starting at pace. Holmes had to be alert to turn ball back in Mansfield’s favour after disruption at the opening line out and Robinson looked to put distance between his try line and the play. Storey proved his multi tasking with an early burst down the left but was then putting in a much-needed last-ditch tackle deep in the 22.
From the opening it was clear that the home side’s large pack had a potent rolling maul and were well drilled in how to use it. On five minutes they worked it up the touchline, forced a penalty and line out 5 metres from the try line. A clean catch and the opportunity to move again was seized and they crossed the line as a unit. An ominous warning for Mansfield but one they responded to in kind.
Quickly in amongst the defenders from the kick off the burrowing work of Newton and Grant gave Davies the chance to release fly half Wills. He dissected the heart of the defence before being stopped with a high tackle. The penalty was delivered to the 5 metre line and Mansfield’s rolling maul came to the fore. Spencer harvested Kirk’s pinpoint throw and as they moved forward Pritchard was controlling matters at the tail to level the scores.
Clearly stung the home side mounted a series of sustained attacks. Holmes, Taylor and Rushby all completed much needed tackles but despite Simmons making hard yards out of the 22 and Wilson attempting to break through the centre of Burton’s line Mansfield were pegged back in their half.
A cruel series of events then conspired to put Burton back into the lead. Robinson had a clearing kick charged down and it was adjudged that Mansfield had carried the ball back over the line as Storey touched down the ricochet. The five-metre scrum was stopped at the cost of a penalty and despite the line ball failing to make 5 metres Burton had the drive for a second score on fifteen minutes.
Looking to up the pace and keep their larger opponents moving round the park Davies twice took tap penalties and turned the home defenders. Wills kicked Mansfield to good position and with Leighton Kirk and Holmes on the chase, landing key tackles; Burton could not relieve their line. As the quarter ended Davies found just enough room to open up the opposition, Wilson came into the line and Robinson was presented with a penalty opportunity for offside. His kick moved Mansfield to within two points and they enjoyed a lively ten minutes.
The long restart was run back through Storey, Wills and Wilson. Spencer again secured line out ball and as Mansfield spun it wide Grant appeared to feed winger Kirk. Robinson joined the line and linked well with Storey, Taylor took line ball and combination of Newton and Holmes worked away from the base of the scrum. However, the pattern had been set and despite a line out to Burton being just inside their half a familiar catch and drive had the Blue and Whites back pedalling. With men committed the ball was spun down the line to the left and a well-angled run undid the defence for try number three to make it 15 – 8.
As Burton looked to impose through their forwards Mansfield were upping the tempo from all positions. Rushby drew defenders and had Spencer to carry the move on, Newton took a line out ball and had Grant and Simons in support. A series of penalties edged Mansfield nearer to the home try line and Wilson chipped for the combination of Holmes and Leighton Kirk again to force an error. Spencer executed the pick up at the base of the scrum, he had Newton and Taylor supporting before Davies sent ball through the hands of Wills, Rushby, Wilson and Robinson out to Storey who sprinted clear. The half time score of 15-13 truly reflected the closeness of the contest and Mansfield had come through one of the toughest halves of their season. After the break the third quarter proved to be even more productive. Holmes and Rushby worked hard to turn the Burton defence; Davies kept up the pressure with his quick tap penalties and on fifty-five minutes Mansfield took the lead.
A penalty in their own 22 saw Davies move clear and into the Burton half. Wilson carried the play on and fed Wills who looked to be going over. He was stopped two metres out but the lively Mansfield forwards were in support and as the bodies peeled off the ball Grant had scored his first try of the season. To make full use of the afternoon Bacon came off the bench and back into first team action, keen to show his pace with two early runs and linking with Wills. Coleman came on for Grant and Burton felt his presence at the next ruck. Mansfield brought Pogmore into the play and he once again surprised the opposition with his speed round the park.
As the game entered the final fifteen minutes Burton secured their match winning points with a stroke of luck and a stroke of genius. A long speculative cross field kick bounced at an angle, between the two Mansfield defenders and straight into the hands of the sole Burton player on that side of the field. No such luck three minutes later as the home fly half showed a turn of speed just outside Mansfield’s 22, beat four despairing tackles and went away for the fifth Burton try.
Far from caving in this spurred Mansfield on to a barnstorming finish and the final move, after concerted pressure, saw Wilson thread his way through a battlefield of bodies and have the temerity to go round behind the posts to give Robinson a simple conversion and see Mansfield end within three points of Burton.
Another performance of this quality will be called for on Saturday when Ilkeston, with a seven game unbeaten run that has seen them climb to third in the table, come to Eakring Road, Kick off 2.15.
