Clean sheet sees Mansfield stay clear
MIDLANDS 3 EAST (NORTH)
ILKESTON 0 MANSFIELD 32
Win number five for Mansfield and the third on an opponents ground ensured they remained two points clear at the head of the table. Any trip to Ilkeston has a particular edge and tension and this was no exception as Mansfield were made to battle all the way for the spoils. It took the Blue and Whites twenty-eight minutes to break the deadlock and half the second period to add to their half time lead.
It was an inauspicious start with Mansfield’s kick off drifting straight into touch allowing the home side five minutes of pressure where two penalties went begging. Showing the mettle in the scrum that was to provide the platform for the afternoon Mansfield came back after two breaks from Davies including a clever link to Holmes and a run by Wills only stopped by a high tackle. Storey marked his return to the wing with a diagonal run and Roberts and Stringfellow moved play well up field. A careless penalty allowed some relief before Newton burst down the middle. Roberts took a penalty to the Blue and Whites quickly and Wills chipped to within 5 metres. Spoiling the home line out it looked as though Harley Blinds sponsored Man of the Match Holmes had crossed for the opening score on his old hunting ground. The decision was that Mansfield had been held up before attacking from the scrum accidental offside removed the threat.
Symcox turned defence into attack and Spencer, Grant and Karl Robinson took play to the 22 but a forward pass stopped Stringfellow who was in the clear. Continued discomfort for the Elks front row was providing scrappy ball for them. Davies and Newton were stopping attacks at source but a series of handling errors heightened the frustration in the Mansfield camp. More work from Holmes and Symcox after line ball from Stringfellow added to the territorial advantage and when Roberts collected a line ball at the front and opened up the channel Kirk and Davies brought the three quarters into play. Storey took the move within inches of a score and Newton was alert, collecting the kick away and setting up penalty opportunities. A Stringfellow led drive edged Mansfield to the five metre line where Spencer rose to take Kirk’s throw and feed off the top to Roberts who crashed over for a belated first score.
However, the next twelve minutes brought as many points as Ilkeston’s discipline slipped. A yellow card gave a man advantage to the Blue and Whites and they made it tell.
A rolling maul along the touchline from Spencer, Roberts and Holmes ended with Spencer and a second try. In front at the kick off Ilkeston handed the advantage back to Mansfield and it was turned into seven points. The back row move allowed Newton to move clear and Jones and Wilson got behind the defence. Apparently bottled up on their right Mansfield switched direction and Wills ghosted through a half gap before releasing a long pass to Symcox who ended the move close by the posts to ease his conversion.
A seventeen point lead at the break and the advantage of the Ilkeston slope promised more than Mansfield could achieve, as the scrappy elements of the first half continued. All credit to the home spirit, which fought for every ball, but much was due to the unforced errors as forward passes and loose handling, overcome in recent weeks, crept into Mansfield’s play.
Fortunately Wayne Robinson’s positional sense and dogged tackling from Jones, Wills and Symcox kept any real threat to the Mansfield line at bay. Wilson repeatedly committed a clutch of defenders and even the loss of Roberts for ten minutes was weathered. Four key Ilkeston lineouts were stolen as Mansfield competed for every ball and Davies managed to collect from the home heel. Back at full strength Symcox landed a penalty for a 20-0 lead and Mansfield rang the changes.
Hooper showed a much speed to the loose ball, and willingness to run at the defence as Newton he replaced. After an impressive return to first team action for Karl Robinson, Simmons moved seamlessly into the front row. Spencer took a high restart and set off with Wills and Jones supporting. Storey forced his way down the wing then angled infield to find Wilson. The door looked to have been shut, but like a master burglar he found a opening and twisted through before racing to the posts. Symcox converted as the centre gave way to Colley, another replacement to show just why there is competition for places this campaign.
Roberts again worked a way from the line out and Kirk and Grant combined. Ilkeston retreating turned ball over but then had Holmes harrying and hacking clear, Storey continuing the foot rush and won the sprint for the line and a try. Simmons collected from the kick off and charged twenty metres, Holmes fed ball out to Colley who was just forced out before the referees whistle signalled an end to proceedings. Not Mansfield at their best but satisfaction at having kept Ilkeston at bay and recording a win on one of the tougher grounds to visit.
Saturday is a big Cup day for the club. Mansfield travel to Oadby Wyggstonians in the EDF Energy Senior Vase before returning for Semi Final night at Eakring Road where the club will have ‘Supper and the Semi’ from Paris as England look to continue with the Mantle of World Champions.
Oadby have had a stuttering start to their league campaign but roared into action on Saturday with a 49-19 win at Stockwood Park. After overcoming Kesteven 30 –12 away in the first round and with home advantage they will be targeting this as a cup upset. ‘We all know the strength of Leicester rugby and there are no easy games down there’ was Coach Steve Shaw’s reaction to the draw. ‘We will have to be geared up as much for this as any other game this season. All out thoughts are on the fixture before we think about England. There was a terrific atmosphere in the club during the last World Cup and despite the gloomy predictions this time the tempo has grown, Saturday should be a great night’
