Mansfield 22 – 25 Market Rasen and Louth

The new season opener is always a difficult game to predict. In most cases, there are at least a handful of changes either with new players entering the squad or older players leaving it. The first game gives the first real test of these new combinations and how well they work. This opening game, however, was made even more difficult for two reasons: a new coaching setup and a new league. Nathan Hill, in his first season as head coach, had his work cut out for him as his team went up against a well drilled and physical Market Rasen and Louth side. Finishing mid table last season, the visitors were well settled in the league and would have wanted to show the new boys what this level was all about. Mansfield responded well and took home a bonus point in a physical affair.

Head coach Hill was happy with his team’s first showing in a new league: ‘I think we were a bit slow to really get into our groove but we really put in a solid performance and I think 2 bonus points is fair reward.’

The game didn’t exactly get off to the best start, the home team unable to cope with the very early display of power by the visitors. Within two minutes, the first points were on the board as Rasen crashed over in the corner. A tricky sideline conversion was missed but the gauntlet had been laid down and the visitors were 5-nil up.

Despite the early points, both teams spent much of the rest of the first half trying to feel each other out. The scrums started out fairly evenly and largely remained that way, Rasen gaining the advantage in a couple but never really being able to disrupt the set piece entirely. The lineouts for both teams were a mixed bag all day with the referee routinely picking up squint throws that really hampered the forward momentum of both sets of backs. The physicality of the forwards saw both teams frustrate each other at rucks and mauls, with balls either being turned over or penalties being given away. At times, Mansfield were their own worst enemies as supporting runners were slow and Rasen were quick to pounce on any isolated players and force a turnover.

The blue and whites managed to get their own points on the board with a well struck penalty by Taran Elms to close the gap to 5-3. The remainder of the half saw the blue-and-whites have to defend numerous waves of pressure as Rasen fought to batter their way to the line. The home defence held strong for an impressive number of phases as the visitors began to get comfortable in the game, matchday sponsor Stopford Associates man of the match Jacob Hutchinson especially prominent. It was almost inevitable that the levee would break and eventually it did, Rasen managing to use a scrum to their advantage and extend their lead with a try. A successful conversion saw the score read 12-3 to the visitors, still well within reach. Mansfield ended the half with a final push of their own, which bought a yellow card for the visitors after repeated penalty infringements. Ultimately, it came to nothing as the half time whistle blew.

While the second half did see the blue-and-whites become much more comfortable and start to put their own stamp on the game, it still saw them chasing for large parts. An immediate penalty from the kick off gave Market Rasen a prime opportunity to further pressure from a driving lineout. That pressure told and another try was added to the tally. The conversion was added and, not long after, another penalty was converted which took the score to 20-3. Mansfield had given themselves a lot to do.

This was the galvanising moment they needed and the blue-and-whites actually seemed to perform better when the game broke down and they were under pressure. This lead to the first try for the home team. After a wayward pass by the visitors was poked forward by Nathan Hind, who had an immense game, speedster Rio Turner juggled the ball, controlled it and then swerved through numerous players and 40 metres to score. A successful conversion by Elms saw the score read 20-10.

Unfortunately, Mansfield then became the architects of their own downfall as a wayward kick of their own was gathered and returned by a determined Rasen counter-attack. They jinked and weaved through the punctured defence to reply in swift fashion. The conversion was missed but the visitors had again opened up the lead, 25-10.

The remaining two tries in the game belong to the home team with Hind and Wilson again being big contributors. The first came after the blue-and-whites were able to put some consistent phases together and run the ball through the hands of the backs, Turner ending up with and going on a typically mazy run. He eventually offloaded the ball to a supporting Rob Marsden who squeezed into the corner. An unsuccessful conversion saw the score read 25-15 with 10 minutes left.

The final try of the game came after Mansfield had absorbed immense amounts of pressure on their own line. Wave after wave of short drives from the rucks were repelled. A couple of penalties saw more pressure heaped on the home defence but it stood strong and Rasen were forced to try spinning the ball out wide. It was a good plan but the final pass just didn’t stuck and bobbled into touch. This allowed Mansfield to regather their composure and put some phases together. After working their way up the field, a penalty on the Rasen 5 metre line saw Hind take a quick tap and barrel his way through the defence to cap off an impressive game. Elms knocked the conversion between the posts with the last kick of the game. Moments later the final whistle blew and the final score read 25-22 to the visitors.

This was a frustrating game in many ways with the blue-and-whites taking some time to get in to their stride. That said, the physicality of Market Rasen and the repeated waves of pressure they exerted were going to make this a difficult game. While Mansfield may come away from this game disappointed they couldn’t claim a 4-try bonus point, to close the deficit enough to claim a losing bonus point is a positive to take away.

Next week, Mansfield travel to Nuneaton.