Mansfield Colts - 32 v Scunthorpe Colts – 13
Mansfield Colts started 2008 as they finished 2007 with an impressive 32-13 win at Eakring Road on over a fiercely competitive Scunthorpe side. Mansfield started the game much the better of the two sides winning the Scunthorpe kick off, taking play deep into opposition territory and enjoying sustained period pressure before stand in No. 8 John Kingswood exploded from broken play to open the scoring after 5 minutes. The lead was further extended to 10-0 on 12 minutes when Lock Matt Broughton crashed over from close range. The second score appeared to kick start Scunthorpe who then had a period of possession closing the gap to 10-8 with a try on 15 minutes and a successful penalty kick 10 minutes before the break. An excellent defensive performance from Mansfield prevented further scores, the home side did manage to re-group in the later stages of the half and were rewarded just before the break when Broughton scored his second try out wide to make the half time score 15-8.
The pattern of the second period very much followed that of the first with both sides showing signs of rustiness following the festive lay off whilst at the same time, competing for every ball. Mansfield had a couple of opportunities to extend the lead but were thwarted by the Scunthorpe Full Back who had an excellent game, or failing to properly ground the ball over the line. The lead was finally extended on 55 minutes when Centre Andy Zacharia picked up loose ruck ball on half way and raced clear to score under the posts, Jordan Bailey added the converstion. Scunthorpe responded almost immediately with a try from a cross field kick but the scoring was completed with two tries for Mansfield in the last 5 minutes from Lock Michael Morton and Wing Danny Malbon to round off a good squad performance and make the final score 32-13 to Mansfield.
Mansfield U17 - 5 v Paviors Colts – 13
On a bright, but cold Sunday morning Mansfield U17’s entertained Paviors Colts (U19’s) and gave them a real run for their money in a close encounter, which they narrowly lost 5 -13. Paviors started the better and for the first 10 minutes they put Mansfield under immense pressure. The possession and territory brought the visitors the first points; when they secured the ball at a break down and moved it wide to score in the corner. The difficult conversion was pulled wide to leave the score at 0-5. The Blue and Whites then started to put their own game together and showed why they were unbeaten at U17 level. The forwards upped their game and started to drive back the bigger opposition and secure possession for the quick Mansfield backs. The pressure eventually forced Paviors into making mistakes and into giving away a penalty. Ross Elms elected to kick, but it fell agonizingly wide. However, they maintained the territorial advantage and from a flowing move across the pitch they were able to draw level. The ball passed swiftly through the backs hands to Jonathan Cordin, who was able to sprint past the defence to score in the corner. The conversion fell short to leave the score at 5-5. Mansfield continued to press, but, strong Paviors defence held the home team out until half time. Paviors started the second half with an excellent kick and put Mansfield under pressure from the resulting line out but, the home team defended well and took the game back to the visitors. For the next twenty minutes the game was keenly contested in the middle of the park with the only opportunity for points coming from a Paviors penalty that fell wide. With ten minutes to go, a moment of indiscretion by the Mansfield number 8 saw them reduced to 14 men and this gave the visitors the edge. A converted penalty gave them the advantage at 8-5 and in the final few minutes, pressure close to the Mansfield try line gave the visitors the opportunity to score a second try and extend their lead. Mansfield tried to respond but, time was now against them and the game ended Mansfield U17’s 5 and Paviors Colts (U19’s) 13. The game was enjoyed by a large crowd, who now look forward to the return fixture to be played at Paviors, towards the end of the month. Next week the Blue and Whites return to U17 action with a visit from Boston. Meet 10am for an 11’o’clock kick off.
Mansfield U14 - 10 v Chesterfield – 26
Mansfield U14’s had a bad day at the office eventually losing 10-26 to large Chesterfield outfit.
