Mansfield U16 RUFC v Nottingham Moderns away 08/09/13

Report by Colin Harriman

With the phrase "stay as tight as a Yorkshiremans wallet" being shouted by Andy Hubbard the first game of the season kicked off.

New players and switched positions would mean that 100% concentration and effort would be needed for the full 60 minutes.

Both teams were very evenly matched and it was a full 10 minutes before the ball went near any of the try lines. Sam Potts made a storming 15 metre run down the right line before Moderns managed to tackle him and cause a knock on.

At 13:00 minutes new recruit Michael Elliott scored a try in the right corner from a well planned and played quick tap penalty. The angle and wind direction caused the the conversion to drop short for Jake Brough.

18:00 minutes and Moderns scored a fast paced try in the left corner with a well kicked conversion to take the lead.

At 23:00 Jack Harriman caught a high ball sweetly on the half way line and ran like a Springbok to score a try under the posts. Regan Hubbard cleanly bisected the posts with a conversion kick.

At 25:00 Regan Hubbard powers down the centre handing off 2 tacklers offloads to George Eley who carries on another 10 metres before a back handed pass to Jack Harriman who scores his second try in the left corner which because of the angle goes unconverted.

Just before half time Harvey Johal makes a try saving tackle wrapping the player up cleanly.

35:00 Moderns again make a blistering paced run up the left wing scoring a try up against the corner flag, the conversion is missed.

46:00 and after plenty of 50:50 moves Moderns score in the right corner but unfortunately again miss conversion.

Full time score 17-17.

A fair result as previously Mansfield have lost 24-14 and 38-24.

Plenty for Coaches and Players to work on in training.

Man of the match to be announced on Tuesday.

Credit to Nottingham Moderns Players and Coaches who played with the spirit and professionalism expected of rugby players at this level. The game also benefited from excellent Refereeing.