Mansfield fall to defeat in first home game of the season

Despite this being their first home game this season, the women’s team had already claimed 2 successive victories on the road. However, the blue-and-whites struggled to find that same consistency against local rivals Newark. While showing lots of ambition and industry, the home team were unable to turn possession and territory into points and ultimately came away on the wrong side of the scoreline.

Head coach Dave Woodcock was pleased with the determination but knows things can be better: ‘I think we played well in parts but our consistency let us down.’

The blue-and-whites did show a huge amount of heart and ambition but were unable to make any real inroads into the game, especially in the first half. The visitors had a strong defence, a strong scrum and a desire to try and break through the home defence at all opportunities.

Mansfield were willing to throw the ball around and look for an opening but things didn’t go their way. First, the visitors were able to break through the defence, recycle the ball quickly and open the scoring with a converted try.

The home team conceded a yellow card which lead to a quick tap and go and the visitors extended their score, though unconverted, with a second try. At half time, Newark were 12-0 in front.

The second half saw much more vim and vigour from the blue and whites as they peppered Newark with line breaks and kicks over the defence.

The scrum evened out a little and Mansfield upped the urgency. Numerous phases, repeated bouts of pressure and a succession of penalties saw Leah McGready pick up at the fringe of a ruck and evade numerous tacklers as she danced her way to the line, opening up the home team’s score. A successful conversion saw Mansfield reduce the gap, 12-7.

However, the restart saw Newark respond almost immediately with a try of their own, this one unconverted. Adding another shortly after, this time converted, Newark sealed their victory and the bonus point. Despite some last phases of pressure, Mansfield were unable to add anything to their tally and after a clearance by the visitors, the final whistle blew as the score read 24-7

This was not the performance the home team would have wanted to display on their first outing at home this season but there’s plenty of time left yet. There were high spots, of course, but the team lacked a cohesive final pass that would have seen them make better use of their extended periods of possession. Injury and