Mansfield women came into this final game of the league season with just a single loss to their name, a sign of the growing strength and consistency this squad has been able to deliver not just this year, but since their inception. It has been quite the season for the club as a whole. The men’s senior team claimed league victory and promotion with a win over a determined Tupton on Saturday and on Sunday the women managed to overcome a fierce Boston team to end their league season with a flourish, scoring 50+ points and claiming second spot in the table for the third season in a row. While the league now gives way to cup games, there’s no doubt this weekend was one of the highlights of recent seasons and there’s a lot to be excited for as preparations no doubt begin for next year.

Head coach Dave Woodcock was unsurprisingly proud but has one nagging thought: ‘I’m immensely pleased and proud to be involved with this team and all they’ve done. Next year, we’re gunning for top spot!’

Mansfield actually started this game on the back foot, conceding some early territory and really having to work under some sustained pressure. Boston threw the ball out wide and perfectly used the space available to open up the scoring. A difficult conversion was missed but the visitors took an early 5-nil lead.

The rest of the first half saw both teams settle a bit more and really try to get their game plan moving. With the ground having had a few days to bake under hot, dry sun, it was hard in places and not easy to play on. Each team won turnovers, pressured the other into making mistakes, threw handoffs, broke tackles, probed the spaces on the outside and scythed each other down at every available opportunity. Each time a tackle thundered to the ground, a plume of dust was kicked up into the air, the thud of soft flesh hitting unforgiving turf eliciting a wince from those on the touchline.

Mansfield really took the opportunity to explore the wider channels and put some pace on the ball. The next two tries came from this swift passing and using the space well. First, Ffion Roberts took the ball out wide and outpaced the defenders to open her team’s score. That pressure was kept up and the second try followed shortly after, Cat Chambers also making use of her pace to score, again out wide. Neither try was converted, both being from right on the touchline, but the home team had managed to creep into the lead, 10-5.

A dropped ball from the blue-and-whites saw a great pickup from the visitors and a footrace down the left wing being ultimately won by Boston, managing to evade multiple defenders with very little room to manoeuvre and bringing a second try. The conversion was missed but the teams were tied up again. As half time approached, Mansfield were able to carve out a lead, first a catch and drive from the lineout saw some good territory and solid phase ball allowing Nancy Kirk to crash over and then Chambers adding her second as the blue-and-whites kept up the pressure, pounding at Boston’s defensive door until the hinges came off. With no more conversions added, all of them being from diabolical angles, Mansfield went into half time 20-10 up.

The second half saw the home team continue in the same vein as the first. Boston’s defence was clinical and as fierce as before, forcing Mansfield to up their game. More kicking was deployed and, with Boston’s goal line defence being so solid, the blue-and-whites had to keep their heads as numerous attempts to drive over the line were either held up or turned over. It was exhausting at times.

Summer Heartshorn opened up the second half’s scoring with a 50m run after managing to find the smallest of gaps in the defence. A chip over the top of the defence bounced wildly, as a rugby ball is wont to do, and found its way into the hands of Marie-Ann Battersby, who perfectly encapsulated one of the golden rules of rugby, ‘never stop chasing’, and who only had a short 30m left to sprint before touching down. Kelly-Jay Payling had a characteristically powerful game, getting herself on the scoresheet by being the final blow to bring the wall down after Boston absorbed wave after wave of pressure and disrupted numerous would-be tries. Another chip over caused more chaos as the ball again bounced wildly before being gathered by Laina Corah who made sure no one could catch her on the way to the line. The final try came after more sustained waves of pressure that Boston, while not giving an inch, just couldn’t keep repelling and saw Sophie Marsden run a quite spectacular line, throw an outrageous dummy and dot down to secure the victory. Hannah Parkinson took over kicking duties and managed to slot three conversions and one penalty to bring the final score to 54-10.

While Boston didn’t add any more points in the second half, it was not through lack of effort or industry. They were committed and determined throughout, they just had to play a lot of rugby in the wrong part of the field and, despite using their pace well, were ultimately unable to add to their tally. Battersby’s effort saw her claim the player of the match award, joined by Elodie Fleet whose contributions to these games are the backbone allowing the team such good and solid positions to work with. While these two no doubt deserve the plaudits for their efforts, they will no doubt mind sharing it with another of their teammates, Lorna Currie. Currie is one of the original group of women who started this team and has been a constant presence ever since. This was her final game and, as seasons go, it was a pretty good one to bow out on. Now, the team can continue to build on what she has helped to create.

As the league comes to a close, Mansfield has a lot to be proud of this season, and a lot of expectation for next. As the club enters its 70th year, what a way to begin the celebrations!