Stags secure a playoff spot with dramatic late draw away at Oxford

Jy-Mel Coleman was the saviour for Stags

The enthralling draw leaves the Stags four points clear of University of Gloucestershire All Golds who took the battle for fourth place right down to the wire.

The Stags made a bright start and Mathew Cook went over in the sixth minute – with BJ Swindells adding the extras – but just two minutes later Jimmy Rowland went over for Oxford and his conversion levelled the scores.

Jamel Chisholm’s try restored Hemel’s advantage but a try from Yannic Parker, converted by Rowland, gave the hosts a 12-10 interval lead.

Eddie Mbaraga crossed, with Swindells converting, 11 minutes into the second half but Oxford hit back again through Rowland and he added a penalty before Marcus Brooker extended their advantage to 22-16.

But Coleman had the last say as he went over nine minutes from time and added the goal to earn the Stags the two points they so desperately needed.

Both sides spent the remaining few minutes trying to get into a position to attempt a drop goal for the all-important one point and, with less than a minute left, Coleman tried such a kick which was successfully charged down by Oxford.

Hemel coach Troy Perkins admitted that a draw was a fair result and was pleased with the way his team dug in – singling out M’Baraga for the amount of work he had got through.

Hemel now have this week to prepare themselves for an away trip to Gateshead Thunder in the playoff semi-finals on Sunday.