. With considerable pride at stake for both sides Middlesbrough were looking to do the double over the Stags having beaten them at Brinkburn in the first half of the season.

The match kicked off with the Stags facing the elements and after a series of drives and some astute kicking by the home team was forced to defend their line for some time. Then against the run of play on the 12 minute mark the Stags moved the ball into the Middlesbrough half and A. Hare was put in the clear down the right wing where sprinted into the right corner for the game’s first score, unconverted (0-5).

Two minutes later Middlesbrough were awarded a penalty in the Stags twenty two for handling the ball in a ruck which was converted by Moore (3-5).

The Stags pack who worked manfully against a much heavier home pack worked the ball back up field and on the 21 minute mark J. Baggs forced his way over the line from 10 metres out for a try unconverted (3- 10).

The home team bounced back immediately when their inside centre charged down field and some slack tackling allowed him to score on the 24th minute converted by Moore (10-10).

The Stags then hit back and drove the ball up into the home teams twenty two where full back D. Thomas cut a very good line through the defence to score unconverted on the 29 minute mark (15-10).

From the kick off the Stags dropped the ball and after a series of unusual errors were penalised for holding on to the ball converted by Moore (15-13) which was the last score of the first half.

With the elements against them Middlesbrough dominated the play in the second half and the Stags were forced to defend their line for long periods. The home team did not look like scoring another try but the boot of stand-off Moore punished the Stags on the 69th minute when he converted a long range penalty to put them into the lead (15-16).

Three minutes later as the Stags drove into the Middlesbrough half their replacement standoff landed a huge drop goal to regain the lead (18-16).

Then on the 77th minute mark Middlesbrough stand-off Moore again landed a long range penalty to secure them the victory (18-19).

Whilst the game could not be considered a classic, the commitment shown particularly from the home team made it an enthralling contest. With this display of strength in-depth, this bodes well for the future of both clubs.
Stags: A. Coates, R. Wood, J. Norris, A. Robson (S. Smart 55), B. Lloyd, C. Young, J. Baggs, S. Smart (C. Miller 40 ) L. Mallinson, S. Waites, S. Butcher (A. Swales 40), G. Robinson, G. Edwards, A. Hare, D. Thomas