Mansfield II v Notts Medics I - Home
To start their seasons campaign, Mansfield II were blitzed in the first quarter of the game by a young and very fit University outfit in the shape of Notts Medics I team. Mansfield pulled back towards the end of the match but it finished up 20-29 to the Medics who ran in 3 tries plus 2 conversions and a penalty. Mansfield managed a 5 pointer through a pushover try and once Mansfield settled they took the game back to the students with sheer forward power to see the home side dictate some power play through the pack which resulted in a second well worked try. Turning round 10-22 down Mansfield applied more pressure but a mistake and a quick turnover let the back division speedsters from Medics produce another converted try. However Mansfield never lost heart and raised their game again to score 2 more tries. Had the tries been converted, a one point difference would have separated the teams which would have been a truer reflection on the game. Overall a good performance from Mansfield whose cross section of youth and experience will develop into a fine outfit. Mansfield scores came from Captain Simon Harrison, flanker Adam Broadhurst and 2 tries from flying winger Andy Brown.
Mansfield III v Derby III - Away
Mansfield III travelled to Derby with a player short expecting to get a drumming at Derby but fortunately Derby thought the same and their complacency was their downfall. Winning 20-41 was a shock result but it was a classic example of how a 14 man team play out their skins to compensate for being a man down. Derby took the early lead through their openside flanker’s efforts which spurred the Mansfield forwards on to take control. 15-7 at halftime meant Mansfield had it all to do and did just that. A hat trick of tries from Hardwick, 2 from young F. Hawson, 1 from S. Stevenson and 1 for M. Cartwright put Mansfield in the lead with 10 mins to go. T. Allsop also added 3 conversions. It wasn’t a pretty game by no means but Mansfield persevered to grind out the result. A shortfall in fitness showed in both teams but Mansfield finished the stronger but lack of organisation prevented them from scoring more. MOM Hardwick.
Mansfield IV v Meden Vale I – Away
Mansfield IV again short in numbers struggled against a Meden Vale 1 st/2 nd team combination. The game was played as 4 x 20 min sessions as a warm up exercise. The score was irrelevant; it was played in good spirit giving each player a chance to ready themselves for the hard coming season.
