Nottingham Casuals 17 Bakewell Mannerians 24

3rd April 2010
NLD Shield semi final
Nottingham Casuals 17 Bakewell Mannerians 24

A generously gifted try, and a few missed kicks at goal was the stumbling block for Casuals, and a let off for Bakewell.

Casuals proved that they are capable of life in Midlands 2 East, when they get there.

Casuals started well, and put Bakewell under pressure very early on.
The forwards soon rolled their counterparts back in the scrums and mauls, and they kept Bakewell on the defensive.
Casuals first score came after Bakewell made a complete cock-up of an attempted clearance kick from the in-goal area, the ball not even reaching the try line.
Casuals won the subsequent scrum, and when a maul developed, Joe Barton was shoved over the line for the first try.
Bakewell then played their way downfield, and when Casuals players were deemed to be offside when not retiring at a kick ahead, Bakewell put a penalty kick over. Ref didn't spot James Austin putting everyone on side.
Casuals then came back into the game very strongly through the forwards, but as an attack developed down the wing, a very badly judged pass went straight to the Bakewell right wing, who ran onto the ball at speed, and he steamed through the gap, and with no-one home in defence, zipped in for the try, which was converted.
This seemed to unsettle Casuals, and they lost possession in crucial areas for a period after this.
Casuals were also punished for foot up at several scrums, but the put-ins appeared that crooked by the Bakewell scrum half, that the 2nd row was playing the role of hooker.
Casuals tried to contest the Bakewell put-in, but would have needed a hooker with telescopic legs.
Bakewell put Casuals under a period of sustained pressure, and the their efforts were rewarded with a try.
This was followed up with an all too easy try through the backs, when Casuals defence was nowhere.
They then further increased their lead with a simple move from a lineout, leading to a converted try just before half time.

The second half saw a revived Casuals, and once again simple driven mauls put Bakewell on the back foot.
Casuals moved the ball about, and when the forwards won the ball at a lineout, play went towards Bakewell’s try line, and a couple of mauls gave Joe Barton the chance to blast through for his second try.

Casuals kept to these tactics, but the referee consistently adjudged that the ball had been held up as mauls went to ground, and Bakewell were awarded several scrums to relieve some pressure.
Again Casuals had simply to concede possession, even though they managed to disrupt Bakewell’s scrum, they could not get a look in at the put-in.
Bakewell were very adept at killing the ball, and Casuals simply had to bide their time. A. big cheer rang out when Bakewell were eventually penalised for this.
Casuals won a scrum in Bakewells’ 22, and Josh Tilford pushed his way over the line for an almost inevitable try, which was converted, just reward for all the hard work for the preceding 34 minutes.

One more score Casuals would have possibly forced extra time, but Casuals were not given any more time, with what seemed to be a very short half, a halt was called to proceedings.

Next week it's Ashfield away, the final game in Casuals league campaign.
If it's played in the same spirit as the games witnessed at Canalside recently, it should prove a decent spectacle.
3pm ko, yet to be confirmed.

Unfortunately the 2nds were denied a run out due to a very late call off by Amber Valley, but thanks to the players who turned up to support the 1st team. Hopefully, they will be playing Derby Vets away in the pennant.
Looking for a 3rd team game at home