A wet and windy morning saw Mansfield U12’s on the road for a development match with Bingham. As the showers eased the warm-up session began ahead of team selections to face Bingham U12 in four quarters.

H1:

Q1-From the Bingham kick-off both teams had possession of the ball for short periods. Mansfield quickly adapted to the conditions and settled into the match. Quick ball from the touch line was taken into contact in the midfield, passed away from the ruck into Mansfield hands presenting an opportunity for a great run and hand-off to score the opening try for Mansfield (Ben) in the corner. From the kick-off Mansfield pressed Bingham, after a couple of handling errors Mansfield regained possession and pushed forward with an impressive run and “show and go” before Mansfield (Joe) placed the ball in the corner. With Mansfield dominating possession they pressed from the midfield with Mansfield (Frankie) scoring the try in the corner. As Mansfield continued to dictate the play a further four tries were scored (Corey x 2, Seth and George).

Q2- Mansfield continued to press and probe the Bingham “D” line with the Mansfield scrum (tight 5) presenting opportunities to both carry the ball and pass down the line. It was from a scrum and resulting ball carry that placed Bingham under pressure to kick and clear the line, presenting Mansfield an opportunity to collect the high ball, surge forward and score the try (Ben). Bingham continued to work hard and compete running in three team tries in latter part of the quarter.

H2

Q3- After a half time team talk, Mansfield were re-focussed and quickly on the offensive with a Mansfield (Seth) try early in the quarter. A sweeping passage of play across the width of the pitch involving all players resulted in a team try for Mansfield (Corey). Mansfield continued to play free flowing Rugby scoring a further four tries (Corey, Jacob, Frankie, and Joe). A knock to a Bingham player reduced the playing sides and scrum from five to three. Mansfield reacted quickly to a loose ball allowing Mansfield (Seth) to surge forward and score the try, with Bingham responding quickly with a try of their own. From the resulting kick-off Mansfield once again pressed forward with several passages of play across the pitch, including a powerful Mansfield ball carry that ended with a free pass for Mansfield (Freddie) to crash the ball over the line, and score the try that was well received by both his teammates and the sidelines. With the quarter ticking down there was a further Mansfield (Corey) try scored.

Q4-Followed a similar path to the previous quarters with Mansfield in the ascendancy scoring a further four tries (Ben/Joe, Elliott x 2 and Corey). Bingham rallied and responded with two tries of their own before the end of the match.

Match Summary:

After a gruelling Friday night training session, it was clear that the same intensity and work rate had carried through onto the pitch today, resulting in a well deserved twenty-one try team display. To quote Coach Nath “Every player made a massive contribution today.”

Mansfield Player of the Day: Corey