Casuals 26. Old Saltleians 18

7th October 2017
RFU Intermediate Cup ( Midlands)

Casuals 26 Old Saltleains

Casuals entertained Old Saltleains from Water Orton, near Coleshill, B’ham way in the 2nd round of the RFU Intermediate cup, and progressed thanks to a late fight-back that saw them overtake their visitors score in the latter stages of the game.
O.S. are currently languishing in the depths of Midlands 2 West (North), with only 1 point to show for their 3 games thus far, but proved they were not going to be a pushover, and welcomed the points the hosts gifted them early on.

Casuals kicked off into the wind, which was going to prove decisive factor in the second half.

The first action saw Hallam retrieve a ball, and his run took Casuals upfield, that was then followed by a lineout which Casuals took cleanly, Higgins went through, only to knock on.
O.S. were penalised , and first points on the board from a Higgins penalty. 3 - 0

O’ Connor then made good ground, a ruck followed, and the ball came out quickly to Hallam running a great line from full back, which took him clean through for the try. 8 – 0
O.S. then clawed some points back with a simple penalty 8 – 3

O.S. then got a huge gift from the hosts, ever generous, a huge floated miss pass was easily caught in the centre by O.S.taking the catcher well clear for a immensely easy try, followed by the conversion to take O.S. into the lead 8 – 10

After that a combination of good attacks, interspersed with some unfortunate knock-ons, one from Maisonnet as he seemed to be getting clear, brought Casuals no gain, and it was O.S. who after a penalty to touch, managed to camp inside Casuals 22.
During that time Hallam suffered an injury, which eventually forced to him to leave the field, and then the referee managed to get in the way, eventually getting floored.
Those disruptions broke up play, and it was O.S who benefited, as Casuals pulled a maul down, they played the advantage and went over for their second try. 8 -15

Casuals were again penalised, this time at a scrum, fortunately the kick at the posts missed, but the referee penalised Casuals several times.
Casuals defence withstood most of the attacks, but the referee again penalised Casuals, this time for hands in the ruck, and the penalty kick went over 8 – 18 and half time

With the wind now in Casuals’ favour it looked it would not be long before Casuals got back into the game.
Firstly a run by Niall O’Kane was stopped just short, but Casuals could not capitalise from the scrum 5.
The next scrum brought a penalty against O.S, but Casuals were immediately penalised after a quickly taken penalty.
Casuals kept up the pressure, and O.S were pinned back in their own half.
2 substitutions by Casuals seemed to bring a change in fortunes, as Annable and Alexiou came on.

O.S. were themselves penalised after a lineout, and the resultant driven maul saw Jack Weedon dive over from short range. 13 – 18

O’Connor and Howatson (on for Hallam) combined to gain ground. Casuals won a lineout, which turned into a driving maul, with Liam Annable going in for his first try of the game. 18 - 18
O.S. started an attack from kick off, which took them to 1/2 way, but Casuals got a lineout, after a kick on the full from O.S., and they were subsequently penalised on their 10m line, and Higgins boomed the kick over for the 3 points 21 – 18

O.S.had an attempt at a penalty goal go way off target, and Casuals cleared downfield. O.S then started to get on the wrong side of the referee, and Casuals got a scrum after an O.S. sub called for a lineout.
That was turned into a maul, which was driven on for about 30 metres, the ball was shipped out,
O’Kane and O’Connor combined to get the ball over for a touch down, but with the referee not able to keep up, and O’Connor was denied the score. Casuals were awarded a 5metre scrum from which Annable wrestled his way over for his second try. 26 – 18

Casuals kept possession and the game eventually ended with Casuals comfortable winners, to progress to the next round.

Man of the match was awarded to Stu Williams.

Post match pints to Williams, Baraniak (for his first full game) centre Andrew Harris and winger Emanuale Cammarata making their debuts.

Away from the game, we hope that coach Josh Skelcey's operation went well, look forward to seeing him back soon.

Team
1. Stephen Baraniak
2. Jack Weedon
3. Alex Hawkins
4. Mike Twomey
5. Kieran Maisonnet
6. Matthew Fox
7. Chris Brownlie
8. Stu Williams
9. Gareth Davies-Jones
10. Mark Higgins
11. Niall O'kane
12 Andrew Harris ***
13. Daniel O'Connor
14. ***
15. Ben Hallam

Subs.
16. Antonios Alexiou
17. Liaam Annable
18. Brodie Howatson

*** Ist team Debut