Yes!

Yes, it's a cliché, but it's true to say that rugby was the winner on Sunday. Both teams brought skill, teamwork and grit to the game and we also saw rugby's values of respect and sportsmanship on display, that had supporters of both sides applauding and on the edge or their seats for much of the afternoon in a high quality match.

Casuals made an electric start, working with discipline and accuracy through the phases to score twice before Kesteven knew what was happening. It wasn't going to be a walk in the park, though, as Kesteven's forward power and experience earned them a score and Casuals knew they had a proper match on their hands. Casuals' defensive organisation and linespeed has continued to improve this season, but could not contain some of the heavy traffic coming their way. Kesteven used their powerful runners in the pack and centres effectively, and also started to win more turnover ball at the breakdown as the game progressed.

Both sides played free-flowing rugby with great support play and handling, big hits in defence, and some close-range scores as well as terrific long-range tries from the Casuals backs, whose passing accuracy was a pleasure to watch as they regularly found gaps in the defence. It was also particularly pleasing to see Casual's forwards play with power, patience and discipline in taking the ball up through multiple phases, and creating space to score.

Having gained a comfortable lead at the start of the match, Casuals found themselves a score or less ahead for much of the game as the sides traded tries in exciting and relentless end-to-end rugby, until the final quarter when both teams started to tire and make errors. Kesteven closed the gap to 3 points with an interception and well-taken converted try, and a nail-biting finish was on the cards. A couple of errors and lack of discipline put Casuals on the back foot in their own 22 and the crowd held their breath as the home team gathered themselves and defended heroically in the final minutes to seal a match that on balance they surely deserved to win 32-29. The crowd on both sides loved it.