Mansfield grind out hard fought win
MIDLANDS 3 EAST (NORTH)
MANSFIELD 36 GLOSSOP 10
A much tougher encounter than many believed but one that Mansfield had expected after the hard forward battle earlier in the season in Derbyshire. A big pack with the ability to frustrate in the loose and compete strongly in the set pieces plus the heavy ground and blustery conditions meant it was a stuttering performance. The difference lay in the flair of the Mansfield backs that had the ability to slice through the opposition defence.
It took seventeen minutes for Mansfield to get on the scoreboard after a seesaw opening. Glossop showed adventure to attempt to run the kick off from their 22 but found a stubborn defence from Jones and Wilson backed up by Robinson, sound under the high ball. From within their own 22 Spencer was quick to pick and go blindside to relieve their line. Glossop’s line ball was stolen by Newton who saw Holmes drive forward then link with Jones, Wilson and the ball out for Leighton Kirk to put in the first of several telling runs that brightened the afternoon.
More defensive duties from Pritchard, Holmes and Taylor to halt the bulky Glossop forwards paid dividends. Drury stole turn over ball twice at close quarters and gradually the Blue and Whites were imposing their game. Quick scrum ball and Shaw linked through Man of the Match Wills to Jones. Skipper Kirk and Grant began a drive, which saw Pritchard go straight for fifteen metres before Wills was on hand to chip to the left corner. Boler chased the ball down and the visitors conceded a line out on the five-metre line. Twice Mansfield went for the line and twice they won penalties. It was third time lucky as Newton rose; the Blue and Whites drove and Spencer emerged from the base of the pile of bodies for the opening score.
Having made the breakthrough they were quick to force the advantage. Kirk collected the kick off, Wills and Boler created width and Taylor carried on for a Mansfield scrum in the visitors half. Holmes collected the ball from Spencer and Shaw made enough ground to feed Wills who ghosted through under the posts. Robinson added the conversion but the next score was at the other end of the ground to reduce the lead to 12-5.
Glossop made use of the wind but Robinson and Boler made decisive marks under pressure. That proved not to be purely defensive but much to the visitors surprise the springboard for more points. Boler tapped and passed wide to Wilson who set off from under his own posts out of the 22 before Robinson joined the line to draw two men and send Kirk clear. The young winger needed no second invitation and simply outpaced everyone for try number three.
Once again Kirk the hooker was under the restart and when he won the penalty Shaw was there to tap and go. Wills and Robinson supported and Wilson beat three men before being forced into touch. Jones and Kirk the winger just failed with an exchange of passes but Jones was limping out of his comeback game, giving way to a returning Storey.
Despite working their way up field on the back of a series of penalties and line outs, with three men available as jumpers to keep the opposition guessing, no more points before the interval but a lead of a dozen points as a platform for the second period.
In a carbon copy of the opening half Mansfield first had to prove their defensive strength, and wait seventeen minutes to get the scoreboard ticking over again. Spencer, Holmes and Grant absorbed the Glossop pressure and with the Blue and Whites starting to impose in the set scrums Storey, Newton and Shaw all probed to release Mansfield from defence. Taylor deflected line ball to the Mansfield side and Kirk tidied an awkward bouncing ball before Mansfield turned a let off into points with a stroke of inspirational play.
A double movement short of the Mansfield line gave a penalty to relieve. Again Mansfield tapped and went from their own line. Robinson started the move, Wilson burst clear and gave Wills a run down the wing. He slipped the ball back inside for Storey and Wilson was up with play to take the ball under the posts and give Robinson the simplest of conversions.
Simmons entered the fray with two early runs on crash ball before Wills chipped Mansfield deep into the Glossop half. Taylor secured the line out and Kirk carried after a Holmes run. Mansfield were solid on their own put in before Spencer and Newton moved left. Shaw popped the ball for Wills who immediately switched right, flatfooted two men and rounded two more for his second try and another Robinson conversion.
Once again Glossop showed their determination and strength but were caught out by home adventure. Another penalty within five metres, another Robinson tap and go instead of the long kick and Leighton Kirk was speeding away. The ball switched across to Wills and Boler was there to finish the move for try number six.
Pogmore added to his first team experience and the discomfort of the Glossop centres with his one-man version of the drift defence but the visitors claimed the final score of the afternoon with a try to make double figures.
The chasing pack all managed wins but Mansfield had kept their seven-point advantage with just seven games to go. ‘We know it is in our own hands,’ mused Coach Steve Shaw. ‘We have been happier with our results than our performances in the past two weeks although the tries our backs conjured up today we exceptional. February will be a big month on all fronts.’
It starts with a week away from the round of League and Cup matches as Mansfield travel to Burton, from a higher division, this week for a friendly. Third place Ilkeston then come to Eakring Road before a trip to Lincoln before Mansfield go to meet Newark in the NLD Semi Final under lights on Wednesday night.
