Mansfield U15 v Barton- Under- Needwood

It was a bright and sunny day and not to soft underfoot all in all a great day for rugby.
Mansfield had a full squad of player's all up for this match.
Barton had arrived themselves with a strong and much improved team.
The match got on the way with Mansfield starting with a nicely weighed kick with a great chase onto the ball receiver all of the team moving up as one keeping the pressure on Barton as Mansfield turned the ball over and moved it quickly and over for a Try by Harry Brough. With the assist from Isaac Harris. Conversion by Harry Brough 1 m 20 sec gone what a dream start.
Mansfield 7 - 0 Barton
Barton restart and Mansfield take the ball well and come on strong. Barton dig in well and withstand the attack, turning the ball over and coming back at Mansfield hard. But Mansfield were tackling hard not letting Barton settle, Mansfield turned the ball and began pressing forward again then with a little mistake with a floating pass Barton's fast wing picked it off and was gone and over for a Try a well taken try by them No conversion.
Mansfield 7 - 5 Barton
Mansfield restart again with a great kick and chase keeping the pressure on Barton and results in a scrum to Mansfield.
The scrum is strong holding the Barton pack then getting the ball out and moving but the whistle goes Barton's scrum half off side penalty to Mansfield. Who choose to kick.
Harry Brough steps up and strikes the ball well and goes over for 3 points.
Mansfield 10 - 5 Barton
Barton restart with along high kick and a very good chase turning the ball over to which was the start of nearly 10 minutes of attacking rugby from Barton and a fantastic period of defence and communication from Mansfield, Barton could not get the ball over the try line.
Whistle goes scrum 5 Barton ball the ball goes in and Mansfield get the shove on and take the ball against the head and break out with along kick down field and a great chase from the fullback and wings keeping the pressure on. Barton retain the ball and start moving up field then just over the halfway line Zak Chiverton intercepts a pass at speed and was off with 3 Barton player's chasing him as he goes over for the Try conversion by Harry Brough.
Mansfield 17 - 5 Barton
Barton restart Mansfield take the ball well and move the ball quickly down the line and push forward again not letting up the pressure, until the ball goes dead the whistle goes for half-time
Mansfield 17 - 5 Barton Under Needwood....

Barton restart the second half with a very long kick that goes out over the dead ball line.
Mansfield opt for a scrum on halfway which Mansfield take well pushing Barton back and then moving the ball communication is really great to hear as you are all chasing and tackling with confidence and strength.
Forwards are picking and driving drawing in more Barton player's then moving the ball out Owen Hopewell - Bond
who powers through Barton's defence and over for the Try and conversion by Harry Brough.
Mansfield 24 - 5 Barton
Barton restart and chase they are still fighting. Mansfield are taking the ball in hard taking the game to Barton.
Then through some great play and ball movement Will Heyes brakes through rolling off a tackle and was away with Mansfield player's flowing as he goes over for the Try. No conversion but was very close.
Mansfield 29 - 5 Barton
Barton restart and again they chase hard but Mansfield secured the ball well and run it back at Barton who tackle well in numbers turning the ball over then Mansfield turning them over the rucking and clearing out is very strong you all want this. Your attacking game is really flowing moving the ball pushing forward as Harry Brough slips two tackles and goes under the posts for a Try. Conversion also by Harry Brough.
Mansfield 36 - 5 Barton
Barton restart Mansfield take well ship it backwards then a long kick to space with a good chase Barton gather the ball and run it back they get over into Mansfield half then get turned over by some great ground work and the start of one of the best moves we have seen starts shipping the ball quickly and precisely suddenly Mansfield get the over lap as the ball goes to Owen Hopewell - Bond and he goes over for the Try. Conversion by Harry Brough.
Mansfield 43 - 5 Barton
Again Barton restart moving down the left wing pushing hard throwing everything at Mansfield testing your defence again keeping them out as the whistle goes for full time.
What a fantastic game against a side who is much improved and didn't give up throughout the match and your defence was tested on a number of occasions and they could not find away through your defence.
We had a full team and with the changes made in the game it didn't change the game plan and showed we didn't have any weak links anywhere in the team.
There was a lot of brilliant rugby played and great tackling by you all. Individual flair but working as a team.
The last Try of the game would not have looked out of place on the TV. One of the best team tries I have seen in along time.
The coach's,myself and all the parents would like to say. Well done and well played by all of you.
Well done to Owen Stevenson on his MotM.
Hopefully this will become a regular fixture.
Final Score
Mansfield 43 - 5 Barton Under Needwood.