Match Report
Casuals under 14s v Spalding Under 14s
Cup

They say that the sign of a good referee is not noticing that they are there. Casuals didn’t notice the referee wasn’t there and kicked off without…so keen were they to get stuck in.

The second kick off was even better, and the stage for a sound victory was set in the opening exchanges, with strong Spalding runs stopped by a brick wall of a defence that never yielded.

Who was it who said “Invincibility lies in the defence; the possibility of victory in the attack”?*

Casuals were, indeed, a nightmare to play against; Spalding’s more direct attempts to punch holes countered with creative attacking play from Casuals. The ball going left, right, left again before an early try in the corner finished off by Finn. The conversion attempt was admirable and when a kick from near the touchline does go over, one day soon, the reaction from all concerned will be delirium. I can’t wait. For now, it helps when the try is scored under the posts!

Who was it who said “I feel that luck is preparation meeting opportunity.”?*

Spalding kicked off deep, Casuals having to absorb the pressure. Spalding were, as they were throughout the game, relentless but Casuals gave them no space with patient, well organised defence, leading to attacking opportunities which they took. The second try was a tad unlucky from the Spalding perspective but it was the pressure applied by Casuals that led to the defensive fumble which Noah pounced upon as a practiced poacher.

In conversion news: Liam hit the cross bar. Ooh!

In a departure, perhaps, from some games of seasons gone by, Casuals then took the game away from their opponents. If the opening 15 minutes could have gone either way, for the second half of the first half, Casuals were ruthless. The third try was exceedingly well worked and, again, a product of solid defence. The ball went left, the ball went right, the ball went left and a try under the posts finished off by Rupert.

Conversion update: Liam kicked it over the cross bar. Hooray!

Who was it who said “All of our human life is full of pain and there is no rest from toil”?*
Casuals did not let up, and just before half time secured the try bonus point (if there was one) after an epic catch in the deep (cricket allusion) from Archie led to a quick incursion into the Spalding half, superlatively dominant attacking play from Casuals and try number four in the corner.

Conversion Focus: Another fine attempt from near the touchline by Finn…

Half time Score: 22-0

Who was it who said: “The comeback is always stronger than the setback.”?*

Spalding should take a lot of credit from how they regrouped and gave there all to the very end of what was a well-played and well contested contest. Spalding played brighter in the second half and challenged hard but Casuals, to their credit, remained composed and weren’t about to let things slip without meeting the struggle head on. The next try was pivotal: Would Casuals put the game away? Would Spalding come back?
It was Casuals, raising their game still further, and this time it was James breaking on the right and going close before Finn broke to score under the posts after a ferocious competition for the ball from both sides.

Conversion review: This time Liam sent it high above the bar, leaning back…hoof…

Tired limbs, tired arms, and an even contest followed before Casuals had the final say. A penalty kicked for touch on half way leading to an attack on the opposite wing, prodding for the gaps. Spalding forced the ball out, played it to the opposite wing from their line-out and developed a menancing attack attack of their own only for the ball to be spilt and Casuals to pounce. Finn under the posts…

Conversion Appreciation Society Minutes: Archie made no mistake.

Who was it who said “It would be judicious to act with magnanimity towards a prostrate foe.”?*

Final Score: 36-0 To Casuals

A confidence affirming win for Casuals against tough, hard but fair and determined opponents. Well done all and Congratulations to Rupert voted by Spalding as Player of the Week.

Sun Tzu
Oprah Winfrey
Euripides
Anne Lamott
Millard Fillmore