Chesterfield Panthers 10-47 Mansfield

After recent events, the 3rd team answered the call to play this 1st team fixture, putting their own top of the league position at risk. In all honesty, there was no expectation for a win but a lot of pride to play for and to see if these lads could hold their own at a higher level. All players arrived early and keen and went through a good warm up and some great handling drills to keep skills sharp on this cold, wet day.

With team talks and formalities out the way the game kicked off with welcome return Chris Cooper kicking into Mansfield territory. Panthers set up camp around 15 metres from the line and it was clear that this was going to be a physical forward dependant game. The Panthers didn't let up and spent the first 10 minutes encroaching into Mansfield territory until being awarded a penalty, Chris Cooper unfortunate to not take the 3 points.
Chesterfield had made their mark on Mansfield, but Mansfield were keen to step it up a gear, their hidden danger being a fast centre that cut lines through Sam Martin and Ben Tustin on 2 occasions and converting both 0-14.
Panthers were licking wounds but still wanted to show their teeth, scrums were not as good as we would've hoped but their was plenty of physicality to be made up for in the rucks and mauls, constant pounding pushed us over the line with Leon Owen finishing the momentum, Chris Cooper again unlucky with the kicks, but we'll forgive him as he's been away for too long, 05-14.
Mansfield broke through, but the winger fumbled the ball whilst over the line, thanks to pressure from Paul Giller.
Chesterfield continued to apply the pressure getting under the defences skins, Chris Riley and Liam Chappell being especially good at this on the flanks and Chris receiving a bloody nose for his efforts. Arguments began to creep in and Mansfield showed signs of frustration, whilst Chesterfield kept their cool heads. Unfortunately this wasn't enough as Mansfield scored another before half time to make it 05-21 at half time.

The Panthers regrouped and assessed their strengths and weaknesses. Back up in the Mansfield faces with some half time changes, Alex Tustin showed that the Panthers still had bite, but this time Paul Giller missed the conversion 10-21.
As tired legs and heavy shoulders set in Panthers gave it their all but the tanks were looking empty and injuries began to creep in, even fresh legs from Declan Wileman, Connor Hayes and Kyle Huntington couldn't recover the fast tempo of the first half. Mansfield found their way through the developing gaps and sealed the game on plenty more occasions to end the game 10-47.

Today's line up showed a lot of courage and pride, playing with plenty of heart there is no shame in the final result. Chesterfield Panthers currently sit in the relegation zone and it will take a lot of effort and a bit of luck to stay up this season. Hopefully the team can find what's needed to stay in this league before it's too late!

Alex Tustin - Another great game at 9, and a try for his efforts, unfortunate to get injured 15 minutes near the end.
Ben Tustin - Unhappy at 15, and was left in some difficult situations on a couple of occasions, not a reflection of him as a player, put in the right hits and clearances when he could.
Chris Cooper - Great to see this lads return, been missed all season, great dictation at 10 but must have had his boots on the wrong feet today, I'm sure he'll polish this up before his next outing.
Chris Riley - Due to his work commitments can't be available as much as we like but he loved to get stuck in, a real animal along with Liam Chappell.
Connor Hayes - A huge step for the youngest player in the team today, some great jumping and good strides in the break through.
Declan Wileman - Not Man of the Match today! But stepped in at second row in the second half and bought some stability to the scrum.
Ged Dernley - A great day for the Mighty Mouse hooker, absolute menace for the opposition and nice straight throws in the line outs, certainly didn't look like the "old man" of the group after lasting the full game well.
Greg Fritchley - Looked really comfortable in today's game, the loose head was always in the oppositions face and stood his ground throughout.
Jack Preece - Enjoyed his rugby at 8 and even took over the restart kicking duty in the second half, kept the rolling mauls moving in the right direction and kept the pack tight.
Kurtis Greenham - Bags of pace and good ball control, seemed to really enjoy getting stuck into his opposite number.
Kyle Huntington - Another welcome return, for this 'Bok, hasn't stopped talking about it since, and with good reason! Another speedy runner who is destined to score in future games!
Lee Laughton - Today's captain and Man Of The Match, kept heads cool and discipline squeaky clean, solid propping duties and hit the defence like a cannonball.
Leon Owen - Sure can shift for a big lad! The Welsh centre made his way through the opposition with ease, again taking 3 players to stop him on more than one occasion.
Liam Chappell - Complimented Chris Riley well, between them they looked terrific, is doing really well considering his hamstrings are fried! Pace and heavy hits, just what we need.
Paul Giller - Stepped out of the hardwork in second row and made himself most useful when at 8, this former centre is best suited for the role at 8 as he has the pace of a centre with the "ahem" bulk of a forward.
Ryan Hanes - Missing his preferred front row role whilst at second row, kept as busy as he could before a calf problem and fitness slowed him down.
Sam Martin - Always a solid awkward player, causing real problems for the opposite numbers, got a few breaks and some good hits in, unlucky to not get on the scoresheet this week after a hat trick last week.
Steve Hatt - The speedster demonstrated fast pace and great lines, couldn't quite get the offload needed to finish his 35 metre break, one to watch in following weeks!

Special thanks to physio Carolyne Ledger for her dedicated prep work before the game and thanks to all who came down to show their support!