Melbourne Away

With Easter on its way, Casuals made the egg-chasing trip to Melbourne to see if they could resurrect their form, hoping not to be crucified (pun too far?). They did themselves proud!
Of course, Casuals don’t particular like to make their opponents feel bad – it was awfully nice of them to host the game – and so gave them three try head start. Stan got stood on by the ref- ouch – but the ref didn’t mean it. Probably. That said, he didn’t even things out by stepping on a Melbourne player – which would have only been fair…
The deficit going into the break clearly made Casuals hopping mad. After a serious team talk (compete more at the ruck…go wider in attack…talk!!) out they came springing into play like new lambs, ready, ready, ready! Like a team reborn. There was excellent pressure from the off; meeting the Melbourne attacking line with unity and purpose – in their faces (but fairly) – the ball won and spread wide and Melbourne were rattled! This wasn’t the team they had just played in the first 10 minutes, they said to themselves, what is going on? Melbourne scored again with a nippy run down the wing but Casuals were not deterred. The tide was turning. Casuals stepped up – Felix irrepressible and tenacious in defence, more a Duracell bunny than the fluffy kind and at one point putting in one…two…three tackles one after the other. Melbourne Shall NOT PASS! Owen working hard impressed, Liam was having a cracker (which is more Christmas than Easter, but there you go) at the heart of every ruck and move.
Meanwhile, Melbourne scored a fifth try for anyone counting. I would not normally say that tries scored as a statistic really tells the story, but it does need recording that from the point when it was 5-0 to Melbourne, our Casuals scored 4 to 3 for the remainder of the game. It does take them a while to realise they are every bit as good as the opposition, if only they realised sooner?
So the second half. Or the third quarter. And what a quarter. Rupert was the first to cross over and score with a superb and unstoppable diagonal run to the line showing his power, speed and vision! Thrilling score. But it was the team effort that swung the game; Casuals were organised, quicker, the ball zipping from hands to hands. Melbourne became frustrated; it shouldn’t be this hard when you’ve scored the first 5 tries! Melbourne got another try (they do that, sign of a good team really), but still Casuals were unbowed. The crowd began to roar (well I cheered, probably embarrassingly) as Casuals opened Melbourne up and a terrific try was scored beginning with a Mikey carry into the heart of Melbourne defence, sending them flying; the ball finding its way to Archie, from Archie to Owen heard first into the tackle, the ruck won quickly and the ball finding its way to Felix to put down! Roarrrr roarrrr!
Time for Casuals to show they can defend. Well organised, standing their ground, working together and forcing Melbourne to, at one stage, aimlessly move the ball side to side wondering why there was no way through…the ball kicked in the end and Rupert smothering the ball, kept possession and the ball found its way to Mikey again with another forward carry that this time was oh so close to a try. Then there was a try - from the scrum. 3-1 for the quarter! This was Casuals at their very best and every one of them right to feel justly proud!
“Don’t leave anything in the tank!” said Pickle. Fair to say they didn’t. Stan (he who was stood on) was back and made an immediate impact bursting through only to be brought back for handing off – you are not allowed to do that Stan, but you did it brilliantly! Casuals deserved a try for all that and got one. Spencer carried brilliantly and came so close on the wing, just stepping out. Another sing of how well Casuals were playing was Melbourne becoming just as tired – it was hard work keeping these visitors at bay. And try came in the end, with Mikey driving and Spencer finishing. And that was that! Well not quite. Melbourne scored two more tries. They do that. But what a game! What a performance!
Well done Casuals one and all!
Player of the Week: Liam – who had a cracking game right at the heart of every good move, creating opportunities with self-less team play. A talisman. Well done Liam!