Mansfield 62
Spalding RFC 10
Spalding RFC slipped to the bottom of Midlands Two East (North) after being handed a third defeat from as many games on Saturday.
Mansfield, who were relegated from Midlands One East alongside Town last term, romped to a 62-10 success as they registered their maiden win of the campaign.
The starting 15 for the visitors showed nine changes from last week’s team, who had narrowly lost at home to Dronfield.
Making his debut in the front row was Sam Cowell, while Jason Steel came in at flanker having been out most of last season through injury.
Harry Lane also made his first start of the season on the left wing and Adam McHugh stepped up to lead the team with captain Sam Cooke out through injury.
Playing with the slope of the pitch in their favour, Spalding were fairly quickly on the back foot as Mansfield, urged on by the home supporters, used their forwards to gain territory and were pressing on the five metre line. Reward quickly came with a converted try after five minutes.
Minutes later missed tackles and poor defensive alignment by the backs allowed space for Mansfield’s right winger to touch down, followed by an excellent conversion from out wide by the fly-half, who went on to have an excellent afternoon.
This was followed by Town’s scrum going backwards and a blindside move, initiated by the number eight, forced a missed tackle and a further converted try had been leaked.
A repeat followed five minutes later and Mansfield moved 28-0 up within the first 20 minutes.
Town tried to get into the game, led by Harry Brown and Ash Piccaver, who were starting to have an influence.
The bonus for Spalding was that the lineout was working reasonably well, with Jordan Templer and Mark Haighton to the fore.
Following a successful lineout the ball was moved infield and at the breakdown Mansfield went off their feet, with Jos Broome slotting a good penalty kick between the posts from 40 metres.
The combeack was short-lived, though, with Mansfield pressing Spalding’s tryline. A poor pass back to Broome gave him no room to get his kick away and at half time the home team had a comfortable lead of 35-3.
Town started the second half well, but Mansfield soon added another try in the corner.
Jim Williams then sustained an injury, meaning Chris Douglas came off the bench and McHugh moved to fly-half. This was followed later by Rob Lucas, playing in the unfamiliar role of right wing, sustaining a head injury. He was replaced by Huw Sharman, while young George Freeman also came off the bench to form one of the youngest front rows Spalding have fielded for many a year.
Despite the changes, Town built a number of good phases of possession as they went deep into Mansfield’s 22 – and with their defence parting, John Barrett scored under the posts with Broome converting.
However, further poor tackling in Spalding’s defence allowed Mansfield in for two further tries and ensured fairly heavy defeat for Town.
- Town: Sam Cowell, Josh Caley, John Barrett, Mark Haighton, Jordan Templer, Ash Piccaver, Jason Steels, Harry Brown, Will Shields, Jim Williams, Harry Lane, Adam McHugh, George Brown, Rob Lucas, Jos Broome, Chris Douglas, George Freeman and Huw Sharman.
- Saturday’s results in Midlands Two East (North): Bakewell Mannerians 27 West Bridgford 17; Coalville 18 Ashbourne 10; Dronfield 18 Stamford 17; Mansfield 62 Spalding 10; Market Bosworth 24 Southwell 20; Melbourne 16 Nottingham Casuals 15.
- Next league game: Town v Mkt Bosworth (Oct 10).
