Positive start to 2015 for Casuals

Nottingham Casuals started 2015 in a positive manner, with an excellent 19-14 win over Tamworth in a friendly.

After getting nine points from their three previous outings in the league, Casuals were looking forward to a good workout to get some useful match time in before resuming their league campaign.

Victories against Ashbourne and Ashby, and a silly loss to Coalville, showed Casuals they have the ability to turn over some of the better sides in Midlands 2 East (North), as long as they stick to what they are good at.

The first half of the game against Tamworth saw Casuals' forwards having to endure a tough time in the scrum, but their fitness and work around the pitch was going to be the key in the latter stages.

Tamworth opened the scoring with a converted try, following a driven maul, and they kept the pressure on for the first quarter of the game.

Casuals gradually began to work their own tactics, and a long, looping pass to Brelsford from Higgins saw him go in for the try in the corner.

Higgins put over a long range conversion to add to the scoreline.

However, Tamworth came back and Casuals were put under more pressure, especially up front, where the weight difference was obvious in the set-pieces.

And the visitors made it count, scoring another converted try following a scrum near to Casuals' try line.

However, Casuals started to gain territorial advantage as the Tamworth forwards started to fade markedly.

With Casuals' forwards supplying good ball from all phases, it was only a matter of time before they got some more points.

They drew level when Howatson went over, after being put in the clear by some good work inside him. Higgins converted the score.

Not long after that, a good run back by Martin from a Tamworth kick into Casuals' half set up a good attack.

Brelsford was the provider and he timed his pass to perfection to allow Naylor to storm in for Casuals' third try.

Tamworth, by this time, had almost come to a halt and Casuals were able to contain any more of their opponent's attacks.

It sets the team up nicely for their next league game, which is away at Dronfield.