With only two games left this season, and the chance to win the league outright still up for grabs, Mansfield came into the last home game this past Saturday aiming to claim the full five points against visitors Scunthorpe. The home team came out on top with what has become a characteristically strong performance, claiming the much needed four-try bonus point and making themselves a little more comfortable at the top of the table. While both teams were relatively evenly matched, the blue-and-whites were able to stifle the visitors’ ball and stop them from turning their territory into points. Now with just one more game left, a tough away game, Mansfield are in a strong position to claim both promotion and sit atop the throne as champions.

Head coach Anthony Jones was pleased with the result but isn’t celebrating just yet: ‘I thought we put together a really solid performance today. We still have one more game though so we aren’t getting ahead of ourselves yet!’

The opening exchanges saw Scunthorpe with much of the possession and territory, prodding and poking the home defence and seeing what gaps they could make. The home defence stood strong, though, and a combination of both solid defensive work and some uncharacteristic mistakes, the first try came against the run of play and in the blue-and-whites’ favour. A penalty kick to the corner saw the visitors lose the ball in the air and Mansfield turn defence into attack. From being under pressure in their own 22, the home team secured the loose ball and, a mere three passes later, had found their way 80 metres upfield for Sam Blackwell to receive the ball and score. A successful conversion from Taran Elms saw the blue-and-whites in front, 7-nil against the run of play.

This was followed shortly after by some more good phases, utilising both the midfield to punch into the heart of the visitors and also exploiting the wide channels and using the pace out there. Mansfield have sometimes struggled to fully take advantage of the space they create out wide this season and while this wasn’t perfect, it was used much better here. Ultimately, Rio Turner found himself flirting with the touchline before being able to evade his pursuers and add a second for his team. The conversion was missed but Mansfield had managed to swing the momentum and were now 12-nil ahead.

The rest of the half was something of a stalemate. Both teams prospered in some areas and struggled in others. The scrum ebbed and flowed for both teams, sometimes it went in Scunthorpe’s favour, sometimes it went in Mansfield’s but both teams were able to secure their own ball for the most part. The lineout was the visitors’ Achilles’ heel, costing them valuable field position and giving the home team something to disrupt. The visitors did get some points on the board during this period, a penalty after repeated infringements bringing them into the game, 12-3. However, as penalties were being exchanged, the blue-and-whites took advantage of one in their favour to put some phases together and setting up Alan Symcox to use his considerable bulk to eventually bully his way over the line. A successful conversion by Elms saw the half time score read 19-3 to the home team.

The second half was much like the first, both teams were relatively evenly matched but while Scunthorpe continued to be their own worst enemy at times, Mansfield were able to keep the scoreboard ticking. That’s not to say Mansfield didn’t shoot themselves in the foot at times. Discipline for both teams was inconsistent this half, both being penalised several times for high tackles and not really doing anything to rectify it. This caused the visitors to receive a yellow card and allowing the home team to keep turning the screw. With more good use of available space and some quick ball out the rucks, Kyan Johnson opened up the scoring in the second half and securing the four-try bonus point, a successful conversion by Elms taking the score to 26-3.

A penalty to the corner saw the blue-and-whites add their next score. A catch and drive saw Phil Pogmore control the ball at the back and guide his team over the line, allowing space for him to add a fifth try. The conversion was missed but Mansfield were making the gap more comfortable, 31-3

Scunthorpe used the exact same tactic to finally get themselves on the board. A driving maul in the first few minutes of the game had bought them close but this time they made sure, the maul being the last in a line of penalties that chipped away at the defence. Eventually the dam broke and Scunthorpe had their first try. A missed conversion saw them score read 31-8.

The final try belonged to the home team as consistent pressure on the visitors’ line saw Alfie Russel take control of the ball at pace and crash through the defence from a couple of meters out. In that position and at that pace, it would have been almost impossible to stop. A final conversion from Elms saw the final score read 38-8. While Scunthorpe did have a final push, Mansfield were able to keep them out and force a mistake to end the game.

This was a tough, competitive game and Mansfield earned their victory well. Scunthorpe had possession early on but just couldn’t find that final link in the chain. It didn’t help they were frustrated all afternoon by a solid Mansfield defence and probed by a sharp attach, lead superbly by Alan Symcox, whose efforts saw him claim the player of the match award from matchday sponsors AIPS LTD, RPF Surfacing and Easy Wash Launderette. With this being the final home game, it was a good result to bow out on and, with just one more game remaining, left them with one more barrier to overcome to ensure they sit atop the table as champions.