Where there’s a Wills there’s a way
MIDLANDS 3 EAST (NORTH)
LOUGHBOROUGH 25 MANSFIELD 25
A tale of two halves, a lot of wind and a lot of whistle, but Mansfield maintained their unbeaten league run, with a last gasp leveller, while surrendering their 100% record at Loughborough. If the home side had dominated the early game the dominant character of the last few minutes was Ash Wills as he engineered ten points to turn defeat into a very creditable draw. He put the points on the board after the Blue and Whites showed great spirit and determination to battle deep into added time.
An encouraging start, with Hooper collecting the kick off and supported by Holmes creating an early attack from Rushby and Kirk, promised much. Working their way for a penalty and lineout an early score looked on the cards, but the wind was playing havoc with the line out and a solid home pack with backs who knew just how to play the elements and ground conditions thwarted Mansfield attempts at adventurous rugby.
Slow to react to a quick tap penalty the Blue and Whites found themselves seven points down in six minutes. Despite a Stringfellow run and a burst from Storey the busiest man was Robinson covering a succession of long, probing kicks. Fifteen minutes and in trouble on their own line Loughborough crossed again for an unconverted try.
Mansfield was asked to weather the storm in more than one way.’ We needed real character out there today and it shone through’ commented Coach Steve Shaw. ‘I don’t know how many get out of jail cards you can play in a season but Lee Kirk led the boys superbly and produced one in those final minutes.’
Mansfield’s keenness to play open rugby was thwarted by the biting wind and frustrating fumbles that created so many stoppages. Spencer sent Jones away on a run half the length of the pitch and bacon back in first team colours showed great tackling and the ability to turn defence into attack. When the home side attempted drop goals they found Robinson, Bacon and Jones keen to run the ball back and Wills teasing with chips over the defence.
The run of the ball was certainly not with Mansfield and after a crooked line by the hosts it was a surprise to see a penalty go their way. It was gratefully accepted, as was the next unexpected gift. After Bacon, Jones and Kirk made progress Mansfield, with good scrum ball tried to send the backs away. An interception in their own half found Mansfield committed and the sixty metre run to the posts unopposed. A 22-point gap at the break would have been just what Loughborough ordered. Vitally in the last four minutes of the half Mansfield did not relax.
Storey went weaving through tackles, Wills put the ball high and the Blue and Whites had forced a penalty. The resulting five-metre line was safe in Pritchard’s hands and the whole pack laid siege to the line. Despite desperate defence Spencer with grant supporting had the strength to stretch out over the line. For the first but not last time on the day Wills approached the touchline conversion with calmness and accuracy.
Despite the wind at their backs it looked as though Mansfield were destined not to pull the game back. The sides exchanged penalties in the middle of the second half but it appeared as though 25-10 was a close as Mansfield were going to manage. Taylor replaced the injured Storey and linked well with Jones and Hooper but the chances were simply not presenting themselves.
With the referee announcing just seven minutes of play to come Loughborough must have felt they had weathered the storm and conceding three scores was out of the question. However, Mansfield urged on by Captain Kirk was in no mood to throw in the towel. Another well worked line out and Mansfield was driving forward once more. This time the narrowest of chinks appeared and so did Holmes to squeeze over. Wills kick fell short in the wind but his day with the boot was far from over.
Another infringement and another Mansfield kick from their 22. Rather than finding touch the ball went long, a Loughborough scrum on Mansfield’s 22 and surely the game was decided. A tackling combination of Jones and Rushby saw ball emerge for the Blue and Whites. Pritchard crashed through tacklers and Mansfield was bursting up field. Shaw and Wills looked to take play right but another blast on the whistle and confirmation that three minutes remained.
To the surprise of everyone on the touchline the ball was given to Wills, the touch judges assembled behind the posts and three points were accepted. At 25-18 no opportunity to win, and Loughborough thought scant opportunity for even a draw. Hooper led the way back from the kick off, the sight of props Grant and Simmons in the centre positions interchanging passes showed Mansfield were going to keep the ball alive at all costs. An infringement took play up to a five-metre lineout, but it was fumbled.
The referee’s arm indicated the fumble was due to pulling down and Mansfield had a second chance. Spencer ensured the chance of a move and Shaw sent Mansfield blindside where Wills collected and dived in at the corner. Two points for the draw and what looked an impossible task. The crowd who had been vociferous throughout a good-natured afternoon of banter were silent. Wills stepped forward and everyone followed the trajectory as the ball hovered on line between the posts before dropping a foot beyond the crossbar.
The reaction of the Mansfield players, staff and supporters was obvious. This could be a vital point in the title race; it maintains an unbeaten record and was a clear message that even when down Mansfield is never out.
The league reaches half way this Saturday when Sleaford visit Eakring Road for a 2.15 kick off. A strong outfit who proved difficult to beat in a preseason friendly they have had a mixed season with six wins but four defeats, including their last two games at home. Both sides will be searching for their early season form, particularly the Blue and Whites who entertain their players’ sponsors this weekend.
