Mansfield Colts V Spalding Colts
43 - 12
Mansfield Colts entertained Spalding in a NLD league match on a damp Sunday morning at Eakring Road and ran out comfortable winners 43 – 12.The first fifteen minutes was all Mansfield as they scored four quick tries to establish an early lead. The first came from a quick break made by Adam Shaw who was held up just before the line but, Ross Elms was on hand to scoop up the ball and dive over. From the kick off Tommy Blythe collected the ball and placed a clever kick through the on rushing Spalding players, the ball was kicked on by Jonathan Fox who beat the turning defence and made the simple touch down, close to the posts, to give Elms an easy kick for the extras. Mansfield were now on fire and from the next kick–off the ball was spun wide to Jonathan Cordin who stepped the defence and scored in the corner. Good work by the forwards and backs then followed, to create another scoring opportunity. The ball worked its way to Fox who drew his player before off loading in the tackle to Cordin who sprinted to the corner to give the blue and whites a 22-0 lead with his second try
.A lack of concentration at the kick-off allowed Spalding time in the Mansfield 22 and their bigger forwards took advantage driving over to reduce the deficit. Mansfield responded and extended their lead further when the ball again found Cordin who was able to sprint clear, rounding the defence, for his third try near the posts. Elms converted to take the score to 29-5.Mansfield were reduced to 14 men on 22minutes when Joe Symcox picked up a yellow card for what was adjudged to be a dangerous tackle. Spalding then enjoyed a period of possession and after a number of penalties they finally made it count when a good ball inside created the space for them to score near the posts. The conversion was slotted over to bring the half to a close at 29 – 12 to the home team.
Mansfield made seven changes at half time and although they dominated territory and possession, errors and strong defence from a spirited Spalding prevented them from scoring until 25minutes into the half.A break from the 22m by a Spalding centre was halted and the ball was secured by the Mansfield forwards before being released to Jordan Bailey who found Symcox coming on at pace. He burst through the defence and rounded the full back to score near the posts. John Ross Ward made no mistake with the kick to extend the lead to 36-12.The game was brought to a close when winger Cordin caught a clearance kick, which was held up in the wind and was able to score his fourth try of the afternoon near the posts. Ward added the extras to give Mansfield a deserved victory 43-12.
Next Saturday the Colts travel into Leicestershire to meet Syston in the third round of the National Colts Cup.
