Coalville RFC V’s Mansfield RFC ~ Match report (43 – 34 to Mansfield)
Best possible league start for Mansfield
Mansfield got their league season off to the best possible start with a hard fought win over an impressive Coalville side. However, they didn’t have it all their own way and if the first half belonged to Mansfield then the second half definitely belonged to Coalville. Having narrowly missed the play-off’s last season with a third place finish the home side were keen to make an impression and started applying pressure early on. However Mansfield forwards were able to secure good clean ball and were keen to make their own impression. Following a neat passage of play and quick hands from Fullback Symcox speedy wing Storey crossed for an impressive score after 9 minutes. Symcox added the conversion.
Clearly rocked back by this Coalville were unable to handle to visitors pack and get hold of the ball. Adding to their difficulties was Scrum half Terry Davies celebrating a return to full fitness after a lengthy lay off through injury who was as impressive as ever with strong sniping runs keeping the home side back row in check. Mansfield forwards exerted more pressure, which resulted in the ball zipping out to debutant Colley on the wing who was able to feed Symcox on the inside for his first score of the match and what was shaping up to be a fine performance from the youngster. His conversion made it 14 nil after 12 minutes.
This spurred the home side into action and from the kick off their well drilled pack of forwards produced a fine drive pushing them to just over half way and a lateral run the scrum half fed the fly half coming on a straight angle and he was able to scythe through the Mansfield defence and finish off a 40 metre dash to the line untouched. Both sides swapped a further penalty each making the score 24 8 to Mansfield after half an hour.
What followed would lead you to believe that the game was sewn up and in the bag for Mansfield but Coalville clearly didn’t read the script. Returning to the club from Nottingham after 4 seasons, in his first league outing centre Jono Wilson claimed two tries in quick succession at 37 and 39 minutes with some nifty footwork and strong running, which followed some excellent driving work from the forwards where Roberts had proved a handful for the home side with some bullocking charges at a dogged defence. Symcox added both conversions and continued his streak of good form into the second half with 7 minutes gone by adding his second try to the score sheet from a switch in the centre with Wilson and some decisive finishing.
With the scoreboard now reading Mansfield 38 and Coalville 8 it looked as though there was no way back for the home side but with Grant in the sin bin they took advantage and rallied strongly doing what they clearly do best, which is throw the ball around putting width on the game and expanding play as much as possible. The tactic to move away from the stronger Mansfield forwards paid dividends for the home side and resulted in four unanswered and well taken tries in 30 minutes, with the last try on the stroke of 80 minutes. With the scoreboard now reading 34 to the home side and 38 to the visitors it was a nervous last few minutes. Determined to finish on a high Mansfield entered injury time with an energetic flurry from the kick off and were assured the final word. Several punishing drives into the Coalville defence and quick ball saw Newton claim the final try of a pulsating match finishing with 43 points to the home side’s 34.
Coach Steve Shaw was pleased overall with his side’s performance and commented, “We still have work to do in tightening up our defence but our attacking play was exciting and our strength up front was impressive”. Mansfield entertain West Bridgford in their first home league on Saturday with kick off at 3pm.
