Mansfield make it three out of three
MIDLANDS 3 EAST (NORTH)
NOTTINGHAM MODERNS 5 MANSFIELD 65
Mansfield travelled to Wilford and County Cup holders Moderns expecting a high scoring game after the home sides performances in May. However, their depleted opponents were no match in the scoring stakes as the Blue and Whites turned in a sparkling second half performance and took their points scored to 186 in just three league games.
The Blue and Whites were away to the perfect start with a try in two minutes. Moderns kick off went straight to touch and from the centre field scrum the backs were able to stretch the home defence. Another scrum and Holmes was collecting, linking with Roberts and Grant before Davies fed Wills. Wilson went through a gap and once clear sent Robinson in for a try in the corner.
That should have been the sign of more to come but instead a catalogue of handling errors and general lack lustre probing saw defensive duties called on from Robinson, Symcox and Davies. Tom Newton stole ball in his own 22 before releasing Wilson who looked to be clear but was just caught five metres from scoring.
With fifteen minutes on the clock and despite struggling to keep their own put in Moderns launched out from a scrum and levelled the score. Moving straight back into attack Wills chip to the corner saw Symcox and Wilson in hot pursuit but the ball just rolled to touch. The next move saw Tom Newton peel away and go close then Spencer took Mansfield to the try line before they spilled the ball.
Attacking from a line out on the 22 a bleak moment ended of the first quarter. Arnold fall awkwardly in the tackle and seriously damage his knee ligaments, an injury likely to keep him out till the New Year. A reshuffle saw Tom Newton, Mansfield’s mister versatility, switch from a lively back row performance to utilise his speed on the wing.
As play restarted replacement Richard Newton used his tackling prowess to keep play deep in home territory. Moderns conceded three penalties trying to keep Mansfield at bay but a quick tap and go from Roberts was enough to allow Davies to send in Wilson for a try by the posts.
Another knee injury forced Grant out of the game and replacement Simons was straight into the fray. He reacted quickest to loose ball to allow Jones, Symcox and Wilson to combine and after a Symcox run Spencer broke for the line out but was held up. It proved a brief respite as Roberts picked up at eight from the resulting scrum, Holmes as ever in support collecting the try.
Before the half had ended Jones took play forward with Drury and Kirk providing the power before Davies went forward. A yellow card for one of a series of ball killing penalties didn’t help the home cause and after Lindsay soared to take line out ball Wills passed long to the centres where Roberts took on the defence before finding Wilson and Symcox who rounded off the move. The final play of the half and Mansfield led 24-5, a better score line than their play had deserved.
Whatever the players and Coaches said to each other during the break it worked. Transformed, a penalty on their own 22 was quickly moved by Holmes and Symcox chasing down the home full back found Wills in support and the fly half skipped over for a converted try. Once again Mansfield had scored within two minutes of the start of a half and were about to add another quick score.
Richard Newton ran the kick off back with Lindsay and Spencer adding support. A Roberts tap penalty and Spencer had the impetus to secure try number six. Simmons appeared to break the gain line and with his pack supporting there was space for Robinson and Tom Newton to create an opening. Wills dribbled the ball on and Richard Newton collected before plunging over the line.
Mansfield were attacking from all quarters and on the hour Davies picked up Moderns ball from a scrum thirty metres out and was under the posts before the defenders could react. The replacement of Holmes with Hooper did nothing to diminish the power and flair of the Mansfield performance. He ran through the middle of the defence to put Moderns on the back foot and linked with Tom Newton who was back on the wing as the move developed and took another long pass from Roberts. Once more the try scorers had the defence breaking thrust of Jones to thank for creating the space and overlap to capitalise on.
Moderns took to long kicks to try to turn and test the Blue and White’s defence but only found play coming back with interest. Runs from Simmons, Hooper, Kirk and Lindsay put them in the right areas of the pitch and two tries rounded off the afternoon. Wilson dived and stretched for his second before Drury became the tenth Mansfield try scorer of the day.
‘Obviously the results are pleasing but just as much is the way they are being achieved. A slow first half but we sparkled after the break and thirty tries in three games tells it’s own story’ was Steve Shaw’s post match verdict, ‘everyone seems to be getting on the score sheet.’ The side will look to maintain the momentum of the encouraging start at Eakring Road this Saturday when Lincoln are the visitors.
