Mansfield vs. Kesteven (14/09/2019)

Kesteven started off their League campaign at Mansfield with a new look team. They were able to give league debuts to Harry Norsworthy Lewis Clarke and Will Wood with Jake Eagle on the bench. Tony Woolerton Ken Lines Chris Jinks and Olly Wood made welcome returns to the squad,

Mansfield kicked off on a fine afternoon and made an early incursion into the Kesteven half. This was repelled and Olly Wood kicked to force a line out close to the Mansfield line. The line out was untidy but the ball broke clear and was picked up by Draper who scurried over for the opening try. The conversion failed but K’s had the early lead. Mansfield replied almost immediately and in what was to become a pattern the lead changed hands as Mansfield opened their account with a try at the posts giving an easy conversion. Kesteven replied and added a penalty to retake the lead. Kesteven were finding it difficult to keep possession by conceding a number of penalties and this saw Tony Woolerton receive of a yellow card before Mansfield retook the lead. As the half came to an end a maul saw Ken Lines emerge with the ball having squeezed over for the try. Whinney add the conversion to make the half time score Mansfield 10 Kesteven 15.

The second half started badly for Kesteven when Richard Armstrong received a second yellow card followed by one for Sam Stedman leaving K’s down to 13 players for short time. Mansfield took advantage with a strong run through midfield for their second try which was converted to see the lead change hands again. Mansfield added to their lead with a further penalty before the game took another twist. The new World Rugby directive on high tackles lead to one of their players receive a red card. Whinney converted the resultant penalty to narrow the gap to 2 points. Kesteven were getting on top and produced the moment of the match. The pack won possession and Draper and Olly Wood combined to get the ball along the line for Will Wood to run in for a great try. Whinney converted to open up a 5 point lead with just over 10 minutes left. Kesteven freshened up the side as Jinks replaced Lines and Eagle came on for Lewis who had an ankle injury. The last 10 minutes saw another high tackle incident which saw Sam Stedman see red. Dent came on for Harry Norsworthy but Mansfield were able to put more pressure on in the last few minutes. A scramble in defence saw the home team kick through and K’s conceded a five metre scrum. The defence held but at the expense of a penalty. Mansfield converted to reduce the deficit to 2 with 5 minutes left. Mansfield again were able to get into the K’s half and with the visiting scrum shorthanded the home team were able to win a further penalty which they converted to win the match 26 – 25.

This was a fine effort from Kesteven who worked very hard and did enough to win the game. Rob Sheardown led the side well and in the pack Tony Woolerton put in a power of work. Special mention for Ken Lines who gave his all in the unaccustomed position in the 2nd row, He took his try well. In the backs Draper was always lively and his opening try was an example of this while Will Wood showed great pace for his try.

On this showing there is much to look forward to this season.

Team : J Palin, W Wood B Whinney B Betts L Clarke O Wood A Draper; S Stedman X Xipu R Sheardown H Norsworthy K Lines R Armstrong C Bibby T Woolerton Subs J Eagle C Jinks M Dent