Brave Mansfield please coach after giving leaders a fright

The hosts maintained their improved run of form with a competitive performance in the National League, Midlands 3 East (North) division clash.

And it left head coach Wayne Robinson feeling optimistic about the rest of the campaign.

“We were within reach of two bonus points, but just couldn’t quite get there,” said Robinson. “However, I thought we fronted up well, and we can take some positives from the game.”

Ashby started strongly and soon had a try on the board. After a Mansfield penalty from the boot of Taran Elms, they struck again to make it 10-3.

When the third and fourth tries were added to increase the lead to 20-3 early in the second half, a heavy defeat for the home team looked on the cards.

However, Mansfield were determined not to lie down and, from a drive, Regan Hubbard powered over the line for their first try, which was converted.

The rest of the game was a battle for territory and possession but, led by man-of-the-match Mark Wallace, Mansfield gave as good as they got. Ashby did score another try, but Mansfield replied through Zak Walters to cut the deficit to 25-17, so it was unfortunate that a wayward pass enable the high-fliers to take the game away from them again.

To their credit, they kept battling and Kian Johnson benefited from a crossfield kick to score the blue-and-whites’ third try, which Elms converted.