Hartlepool provided more physical opposition than Athletic and the Stags only showed their running rugby in patches, but it was enough to see off a much older and more experienced side.

Frustrated home coach Brian Foreman even brought himself on in the second half against a side who were mainly 30 years younger. But we avoided any serious injuries and should be at more or less full strength next week.

The exception will be Phil Gilbraith who injured his calf against Athletic. Steve Clayton came into the side at second row with Carl Miller dropping back to 8 in place of Gilbraith.

And it was Clayton who was first on the scoresheet after just 8 minutes. After pressure on the left in the home 22 the ball was spun out wide with Anth Williams popping up in the centre to move the ball out to Tommy Barff. He was tackled but Clayton was on hand to collect and power over in the corner. Paul Moss picked up where he left off on Saturday slotting a superb conversion from right out on the touchline.

The Stags kept up the pressure with full back Martin Boatman proving elusive on several runs from his own half. But it was from a line-out on the home 22 that 18 year old stand off Chris Martin spotted the full back out of position and kicked over the defence. He followed up to beat two defenders to the touch down. This time Moss hit the post.

Hartlepool struggled for possession and it was no surprise when they went further behind on the half hour. The forwards had the home pack camped in their own 22 and Moss took the option of a line-out after a penalty award. Steve Clayton gathered and spun through a gap in the home defence. He was tackled on the line but Phil Butler was following up. Moss again scored with tricky conversion to make it 17-0.

Hartlepool fought back and forced their way into the visiting 22 for the first time after 38 minutes. Veteran Andrew Frazer kicked through but the covering defence had him beaten for pace.

Any hopes that Hartlepool had of getting back into the game in the second half disappeared just ten minutes in. Stags hooker Phil Butler kicked through and was hauled back by his jersey.

A penalty was awarded 40 metres out but home skipper Andy Wray was first penalized ten metres for dissent, then a yellow and another ten metres as he continued his rant, and finally a further ten metres and a red as he had to be restrained by his teammates. Moss accepted the extra metres gratefully.

Hartlepool had already made some replacements and with the loss of one of their props the game went to uncontested scrums and died as a spectacle.

Moss scored another penalty on the hour and then with five minutes left Phil Wallis took a high kick and quickly moved the ball out left where Andrew Hare raced round the outside of the cover, with Moss adding the conversion to complete the scoring.

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