Not quite up to Phil’s standard but I’ve had a go from memory!

Mansfield vs Sandal
Sandal made the long journey looking forward to playing a strong Mansfield side. With back to school sickness reducing sandal to only 14 players it was clear that it was going to be a tough day. From the kick off Mansfield showed this to be the case with a strong drive and confident passing out to the wing catching Sandal by surprise as they went into an early 7 point lead.
Sandal regrouped and started to attack themselves with Daisy looking confident in her new position at flyhalf before getting an unlucky injury to her ankle.
The forward pack led by Hattie and Poppy drove through the middle and eventually fast work from Sophie at the breakdown paid off as she scored a great try which Orla converted to bring the scores level.
Mansfield attacked out wide again but Ruby, Lillie and Grace worked well to shut down the danger.
Sandal started to put phases together and take control but a few handling errors meant that no more scores we had before half time.
The second half began in a similar fashion to the first, but this time is was Sandal who moved the ball wide through Lillie and Isla into the hands of Ruby who showed great composure to race down the wing and dot down in the corner. Sandal continued to dominate position with great running through the centre from Lillie and Isla. Izzy and Harriet making great decisions at the breakdown and kept Sandal moving forwards. Calm controlled play from Bea kept feeding the ball to the backs and Eve twice making great yards out wide but Mansfield’s excellent cover defence just holding on. Then a couple of penalties in a row gave territory to Mansfield who set up a great maul off a line out to break away to score a try which they converted to take the lead 14-12.
Heading into the final quarter Sandal continued playing the more solid game. With player of the match Ava bossing the breakdown, Bea sniping from scrum half leading to a stretched Mansfield defence. Some great handling from Lillie and Isla again put Ruby into space and she scored a second try to cap an excellent debut with Sandal retaking the lead 14-17.
Mansfield used their dominance in the scrum to fight back all the way to the Sandal line, but a great tackle from Isla on the line and determined work from Grace kept them from scoring. Orla then calmly finished the match with a great kick to touch.
Mansfield were a really well drilled team which required the girls to really pull together and fight for a fantastic victory. We look forward to locking horns with them again later in the season as I’m sure they’ll be out for revenge!