The chilled out crowd at Mansfield on Friday night were warmed up by a match that would have graced any s6 contest , with a crowd to match, where the Pails were made to Marvel at the Force’s blockbuster performance full of superheroes. A mark of just how competitive things are down at Mansfield Haugh this season is that Firsts players of the quality of Glen Welsh and James Delaney had to try to warm the subs bench and try to prevent frostbite occurring at the kick off. The game was played at a helter skelter of a pace, and Billy Whizz would have been proud of the early slick exchanges between the home backs and their first try was scored by Silver Surfer himself Owain Gray. Gray cut through the defence line of the Gala baddies to slide in to put the hosts ahead, and whilst Iron Fist Bailey Donaldson failed with this conversion he did strike with 8 of his 10 efforts and kicked imperiously. Quite how Donaldson cannot break properly into the First XV is a question for the Riddler himself. Fergus Bell is a poacher of the highest order and he eventually left the field with another match ball, signifying a further hattrick of tries. With ball in hand he is a veritable Johnny Storm that the opponents find too hot to handle. By midway through the half the Force’s own Spiderman Murray Renwick was leaping higher than any and with web like hands was dominating the lineouts. However his web was cut after stealing another throw in and he fell to earth in a crumpled heap, we wish him a speedy return. Just before half time the side’s own Incredible Hulk struck, much to the delight of his team mates. Liam Graham gets better each week as he gets fitter and fitter, and he crashed over from 10 yards, Gala knew then that they would not like him when he got angry.
With half time allowing the sides a chance to warm up ,with the Force 24-5 ahead, it also gave coach Landels the chance to fire up his Teenage Mutant Ninja Hero Turtles in green.
By the start of the second half Gareth Welsh moved from scrum half to back row and he was, frankly, imperious in both positions, Batwoman first half, Catwoman second half.
In an all black adoring Kiwi Hawick have found themselves an all round good guy and wonderful player in Dan Brooker. This Black Panther is everywhere on the pitch and the only surprise was that he scored only a brace of tries this time. Graham meantime scored another try after strong forward work where scrumcapped Corbyn Cummings was brilliant in the loose, using his telescopic reach to even better effect than Dr Richard Reed as Mr Fantastic. The marooned Maroons put up a decent showing at times and scored 3 tries during a most entertaining game, before queueing up to use the novel Mansfield facilities and then heading home to that minor Border town nestled between Tesco and Asda ….as some would put it. Captain fantastic was on show throughout the game in the shape of Sam Frizzell, never taking a backward step, always willing to breenge and carry he must be a shoe-in for SDU honours after his customary try. The game ended as it began , with the Force backs on top, making thrilling break after thrilling break often through Morgan Tait. Tait is now known as superhero Green Arrow as he darts past opponents easily and his one try could have been 2 but for some dubious touch judging .
The whole team shone, young Finn Douglas was fast and strong in the tackle, a youthful and willing Robin to Justin Tait’s batman like smooth accomplishment.
A wonderful, show stopping performance once again from this table topping side was led by Hughie Donaldson with those Wolverine hand offs but man of the match was a young Napoleon in Gareth Welsh strutting and controlling throughout the whole pitch. Lastly mention of ball boy Regan Colville, an ever present who was honoured with a team tie at the end for Ant Man heroics.