Stags could feel slightly aggrieved at the score but not the result as they were clearly second best to highly efficient and capable opponents. 'Boro have had a settled side all season and it showed as they coped comfortably when Stags had the ball and finished clinically for their four tries.

Stags were against the wind in the first half and were tolerably satisfied to be just 3-0 down after20 minutes. Elliot Baldwin (who with Ben Strangeways was the pick of the stags on the day) was then rather peremtorily sin-binned, the resulting penalty was kicked from half- way and it was 6-0.

The visitors then created two tries before the break, to the right wing and the number 8 as Stags were guilty throughout the half of being turned over too often.

18-0 at half time was one score, perhaps two, too many but, with the elements, Stags must have felt  they could make a game of it if they could get some early points.

Though they now had near equality of possession, Stags were unable to put together sufficient phases or to achieve the continuity to trouble the 'Boro defence. The visitors absorbed the pressure, pushed Stags back and a third try and a penalty put the result beyond doubt.

Stags made some substitutions but despite now having more territory they failed to create space and lacked penetration as 'Boro suffocated all their efforts.

There was time for one more ' Boro try towards the end and though stags could not be faulted for their endeavour or commitment, the virtues of sound organisation and well drilled teamwork were plain for all to see