South and Mansfield entertain in the sunshine!

Tries for fun in the sun!

South were down to the bare bones for this game as Chris Bale joined the season long injury club after breaking his wrist last week at Longton. Other injuries to key players and unavailabilities meant eleven personnel and positional changes for the home challenge of NLD cup finalists Mansfield.
Director of Rugby Steve Booth started on the right wing for his first appearance of the year while assistant coach Richard Bowden replaced the injured Mitch Culpin as early as the 32nd minute as the crisis deepened.

However, South played some sparkling open rugby (as did Mansfield) to score four converted tries in a twenty minute spell after going behind early on.
Aaron Langan and fellow second row partner Stu Bale scored within a minute of each other then speedster Sam Greasley burned around the Mansfield defence twice to add to the tally. Mark Lord converted all four tries to confirm the bonus point. Mansfield replied with another converted try and two penalties to keep the pressure on with half time being reached with South leading 28-20.

Mansfield hadn’t read the script and scored an unconverted try and a penalty to level the score at 28 all soon after the restart and then a change of tactics from South, perhaps in the light of Culpin’s injury, as both the rolling maul made an appearance and Mansfield went backwards on their own and South’s put in at the scrum. The tight five forwards had a field day, especially James Stapleford, who destroyed his opposite number. Max Castrogiovanni playing at No 8 was the reciprient of two scores by the pack as they muscled the Mansfield eight over their own line for pushover tries. Lord converted both.
Mansfield didn’t give up and scored an unconverted try to keep on the pressure, but in the end South’s power in the forwards told and they ran out 42-33 winners.

Mansfield came to play an open game with No8 Tom Calladine to the fore throughout, but South responded magnificently bearing in mind the injury problems. Castrogiovanni had a good game as did Mike March and Nick Griffin. Lord distributed well enabling the wide runners to score and continually pressure the Mansfield defence while the pack were excellent throughout – Lord’s place kicking wasn’t bad either!
Both Boothy and Smashy were knackered at the end, but all credit to them for filling the gaps in style.
Hopefully, back to full strength next week for a trip to local rivals Syston.

Team: Griffin, Booth, Culpin (Bowden), Smith, Greasley, Lord, McFedries, Castrogiovanni, Johnson, March, Bale S, Langan, Stapleford, Coltman ©, Bayley.

Men of the Match: James Stapleford and Sam Greasley.