Both teams had injury and sickness problems, Grimsby did not have a front row so this meant uncontested scrums.

Mansfield were playing in white due to a clash of colours.

First half starts with Grimsby opting to play with the wind. From the start Mansfield showed they were up for it and came hard at Grimsby showing a lot of intent, Mansfield moving the ball around. The pick up at the ruck was much better then it had been in the past and by not standing around waiting for someone else to pick up their was much faster play.

Grimsby defending trying to keep Mansfield out. Soon it came with Finn Hewitt picking up the ball and driving over the line. Try. No Con.. 5 - 0.

Grimsby restarted keeping the ball low due to the high wind. Mansfield pick up and move forward again going into contact strong pushing Grimsby back. It was looking good for another try, but with some good ground work Grimsby turn the ball over and run it back at Mansfield. Mansfield's tackling was somewhat lazy, going in too high and Grimsby break through scoring under the posts and with a good conversion it was now 5 - 7 Grimsby.

Mansfield restart trying to get some distance into a strong wind. The follow up was good and Mansfield was on them again, Grimsby was trying to move the ball and Mansfield was chasing so were making very little ground on the home team. They were forced into moving back and forth across the pitch.

The play breaks down and Mansfield turn the ball over and start pushing forward. The Mansfield forwards were working very well together and gaining ground playing a very tight forward game, leaving very often numbers out wide on wings as they were drawing almost all the opposition into the breakdown, but they didn't utilise it nearly enough.

When they did they got the ball out to the wing for Owen to run the try in, with the strong head wind it made conversion kicking hard for Harry Brough. No conversion. 10 - 7 Mansfield.

On the Grimsby restart the kicker went for power and keeping the ball low which would make it hard to catch as Sean Wallis found out. The resulting knockon game Grimsby a scrum in a very good position. With uncontested scrums Grimsby came away with the ball.

However Mansfield soon closed them down stopping the forward movement of Grimsby, after good tackling by Mansfield and ground work they turned the ball over, moving the ball out to the left wing with Joshua Dooley running hard, handing off to Owen Stevenson. Grimsby were scrambling a defence stopping Mansfield short but at the cost of a penalty. Mansfield opt to run the ball.

Ethan Siddall was given the task of taking it and he did well going into contact strong, yet still a little short the ball was moved back as Grimsby pushed out.

The ball came into Harry's hands and with a twisting run went over for the try under the posts, to which he converted.
Whistle goes half time.

Score 17 - 7 Mansfield.

Second half starts the wind now with Mansfield and they made use of that by pressing hard coming in onto Grimsby quickly, handling was good and great pick ups from the rucks. Forwards working well together but again didn't look up to see the backs had numbers out wide. Backs were left to get cold for a lot of this forward orientated game, hence when they did get passed the ball the handling was more like juggling at times due to numb hands.

Mansfield built up another attack, moving forward with Grimsby throwing themselves at them. Everyone could see it coming when the ball got out to William Heyes, and he was off weaving and ducking his way through Grimsby defence. Excellent try and conversion added by Harry. 24 - 7.

Grimsby's restart high ball into the wind does not go 10 metres. Mansfield opt for scrum but as it came out there was a fumble by Bradley Vale and knock on by Mansfield. With the scrum now to Grimsby they move the ball out quick to the left wing with eventually the Grimsby centre taking the ball over the line. Try to Grimsby. No conversion. 24 - 12.

At the restart a long high ball and Mansfield chase well and push forward and a lot of play stays in the Grimsby half.

The Mansfield boys looking to respond they push down to the left wing, again Grimsby are scrambling a defence then Owen gets the ball and drives over for the try. No conversion but very close. 29 -12.

Grimsby restart and this time they really attack the ball and chase putting Mansfield onto the back foot, but some how Mansfield win the ground play and push forward again. The play breaks down into a ruck and Grimsby turn the ball and kick down the left wing. Sean at fullback takes it running forward with three Grimsby players coming at him he kicks out of hand and goes forward, it's a great kick causing trouble for the Grimsby players he was nearly there putting his team back onside but an offside Mansfield player could not leave it alone so penalty to Grimsby from where the kick was taken. Something the players will have to work on in training so they don't make this mistake again.

This gave some life to Grimsby who moved the ball well getting it to the tallest player in their team. The forwards shown lots of intent but he did cross the try line, only to make a fatal mistake and drop the ball. A massive let off for Mansfield and score remains at 29 - 12.

Mansfield push out from inside the 22 moving the ball quickly to Josh, Josh to Owen to Will who runs it in under the posts. Try and conversion to Harry as the whistle goes on a good game.

Final Score Mansfield 36 - Grimsby 12.

Also a big Thank You to Shane who played for Grimsby when they lost one to injury. Well done you played well for them.

Mansfield also wish the injured Grimsby player well and hope he is feeling better soon.

Mansfield Rugby Club

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