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Match Report: Sunday 14th January 2024
Nottingham Casuals U11s v Long Eaton U11s and Derby U11s

Literary Quotes:
“Without deviation from the norm, progress is not possible” – Frank Zappa
“All progress depends on the unreasonable” – George Bernard Shaw

Prosy intro with grand allusions:
As we will all recall from a long ago History lesson in our school days; before the Prussians arrived at the Battle of Waterloo, the British and the French were stuck in a fight to the death where the only potential outcome was utter annihilation. So it was that our friends from Derby were introduced, through the fog and mayhem of war, to bring final resolution to the impasse of all-out war…Battered, on their knees, and with all hope lost, our brave Casuals picked themselves up once more from the mud, the fire, the chaos and charged head long into the cannons.

Report containing vague recollections of events and a general impression of how well everyone played with some attempt to keep the Battle of Waterloo theme going. (with a bit of Abba, and others allusions)

At Waterloo, Napoleon did surrender. And Casuals met their match in quite a similar way in the first half against Derby. But unlike the diminutive Corsican, Casuals did not let the wave of try after try at the start dishearten them and heads remained high. Then, slowly but surely, they drew their plans against them.
Leadership in battle was shown again and again by Felix, inspiring his troops with “ready, ready, READY”. They were not ready! Never mind. Kick off again and this time Casuals mustered a decent rear guard defensive action, counter ruck won and away they went…before Derby’s try machine ran the gauntlet of futile cannon fire (tackles) to score again.

First to impress was Nii Yartey making a huge run that brought the large crowd to their feet…swerving, moving forward, leaving tacklers on the floor in the mud, magnificent. Magnifique, mais c’est ne pas La Guerre. No man’s land found Derby ready and another deserved and well worked try resulted. But Casuals had seen what was possible at last.

Mikey was the next to charge through the cavalry. This time, with excellent support from his comrades, especially Bradwell who muscled in powerfully to the ensuing ruck. Shell shock was shaken off and Casuals were ready for the fight at last. Half Time.

The team were treated to an inspiring intervention from Nottingham Rugby’s Community Manager, professional player and all round good guy and Kiwi, Pickle (Michael Green). I managed to pick up some of what he said that sent Casuals out with a collective fire in their bellies for the second half. I think he said: “Have you got more in the tank? Then empty the tank” and “For he to-day that sheds his blood with me, shall be my brother; be he ne’er so vile”. But I am not too sure.

The low sun may have made difference. I think it may have done in 1815 by the way, I seem to recall. But let’s not just say that having the sun at your back is a big advantage. Casuals woke up at last and played 200% better. There was linking of passes, support, better rucking and counter rucking. There were now two well drilled armies in the battle.

From the off, positivity. And a superb individual try from Nathan who muscled through after excellent linking of passes in the build-up. Derby were in shock – has the opposition been replaced? Then some bad luck; Effie with an excellent carry, Spencer supporting strongly but somehow the ball was lost and through Derby went again…This was now, though, a more even struggle. The Game was afoot! Another passage of excellent team play from Casuals with everyone playing their part; a determined run from Mikey, dragging defenders into to the task of stopping him progressing before the ball was released to Nii Yartey, in space, to score! The crowd went wild…rrrrroar….
Archie this time; quick as a horse would have been if charging at the Battle of Waterloo (you could imagine) down the right wing. Casuals were now warriors, fearless, in the faces of Derby, aggressive (legally) and in the game. If only they could keep hold of the ball…Credit to Derby who met the challenge firmly pushing Owen back 10 paces before he dug in to stop the momentum.

A miskick this time, following a try by Derby, and it was Stan who reacted quickly; playing the ball to Spencer who took a huge tackle in his stride, kept the ball that made its way to Emmett with a face like thunder to make a dazzling run only to be so unlucky at the crucial moment, knocking on with George waiting to receive and score. But here at last was determination, bravery and the emptying of the tank that Pickle had demanded.

A rest and then game 2 – against Long Eaton; more familiar foes. Casuals made a confident start but once again shipped trys at the wrong end before working out that they are every bit as good at this game as any opposition and really do not need to spend the first 10 minutes of any game wondering whether they are as good at the opposition before they realise, every time, that they actually are really quite good at this game and not worse than the opposition and sometimes better than the team they are playing!
Another pep talk from Rex and out they went for a second half that was brutal but skilfully played by Casuals, leaving Long Eaton, who are used to rolling over opponents, just as bruised and battered. I don’t like to report scores but I will here: Second half v Long Eaton One-all. The try scored, I think, by Edwyn and the build-up showed everything good about the way Casuals can play; strong rucking, quick passing, support in abundance for the ball carrier, everyone knowing why they are there and what they are doing. Joyful rugby and well worth celebrating. Good game Casuals!

The last passage of play with bodies broken but hearts ablaze… From a defensive rear-guard action, holding the ball up repeatedly on the line, frustrating Long Eaton, Casuals pushed up and got into their faces; no room to move. Casuals won the ball for one last fling. An overlap emerged after a ruck, then a run from Spencer, quick pass to Emmett who runs and passes along the line to Effie on the wing who receives and the line beckons the crowd arching their necks for a view…holding their breath…but comes the saving tackle into touch. An exhilarating end to a good session.

Final Scores: Lots of trys were scored. Casuals scored 3 of them. Nobody actually got clobbered by any actual cannon balls so live to play another day. And, as always, progress…

Apologies if not everyone was mentioned. All played their hearts out and should be proud. But what we are definitely seeing, week on week, is the development of tremendous team spirit and camaraderie, where it is becoming less about any one individual and all about this mass, this thing, this one entity that is Casuals U11s. A force to be reckoned with. Dare I say it, a team!