Nottingham Casuals 39 Mansfield 6 22/9/2018

NLD Shield
Nottingham Casuals 39 Mansfield 6
Casuals progressed through to the next round of the NLD Shield with an emphatic win over their Nottinghamshire rivals, building on the league encounter 2 weeks before.
With another raft of changes from the previous week, Casuals were slightly erratic at the start, and despite an early try, it took some time to build up their attacking moves, with too many mistakes blighting their progression.
Casuals’ first score came from a proven tactic.
6th minute
Winning lineout possession, the forwards set up a maul, rolling it towards the line, players successfully shifting the ball, with Henry Franklin grabbing the touch down. 5 - 0
14 mins
Casuals were pushed back by a Mansfield attack, and despite forcing a knock on, the ref had played a penalty advantage, so Mansfield took the kick at the posts to reduce the lead to 5 – 3
Casuals started to gell as the first half progressed, and the passes were better directed.
Although Mansfield threatened briefly, Casuals were regularly gaining territorial advantage.
They were still guilty of 2 poor passes, which stalled their attacks, and it took a good part of the 1st half to get the next score.
Mansfield kicking a penalty failed to find touch, the ball going dead, and from the scrum back Casuals went back upfield.
Once again lineout possession was crucial, another great maul, and Alex Hawkins went in for his first try of the afternoon, with the conversion from Higgins, the ½ time score was 10 – 3.
Shortly after the restart Casuals went in for their 3rd try.
Starting from inside their own half Casuals moved downfield, some really excellent interpassing, Hawkins twice in the move, before he was on hand again to go in again. 15 – 3
6 minutes later, Casuals initiated another passing move which eventually went out to sub left winger Joe Barton.
With his typical robustness, he used his strength to brush aside the defenders, handing players off, simply barging through the tackles, to run in from near the half way line for a great individual try. 20 -3
Mansfield briefly retaliated with a converted penalty kick, but it did little to stem the tide of Casuals’ scores.
20 - 6
Their progress was briefly halted as a Casuals man was red carded, reducing the hosts to 14 men.
They were further reduced by a yellow card to club captain, Brodie Howatson, which had spectators a little bit in wonderment.
Mansfield then gifted Casuals a try, when a sloppy pass in the backs went straight to captain Stu Williams, who had pressed up into Mansfield’s line near ½ way, and they could only watch as he grabbed the ball, and set off on the long run, going totally clear to score under the posts.
Higgins converted. 27 – 6
Casuals took control of the game as Mansfield tired. Some simple ball handling, and 2nd rower Kieran Maisonnet romped in from just inside Mansfield’s 22, with Higgins adding another conversion pushing the score 34 points to 6.
Casuals rounded off the scoring, with Graeme Roberts going through a gap for the final try, giving Casuals a very commendable winning tally of 39 points to 6.
It was a hugely enjoyable game to watch, and the players no doubt must be really pleased with the way the season is progressing.
There is an optimism about the coming season With the number of players that have been introduced to the 1st team over the last few weeks, the signs are good, as the new boys blend in well to the club.
After the disappointment of relegation last season, this is a hugely positive response, which must be heartening for new 1st team Captain Stu Williams.
Training is going well, and players who are putting in the effort, are being rewarded with their inclusion in the squad.
Yann Moysey, Ted Swales and Callum Barry were brought in this week and showed well
1. Alex Hawkins
2. Graeme Roberts
3. Richard Gill
4. Simon Roberts
5. Kieran Maisonnet
6. Henry Franklin
7. Chris Brownlie
8. Stu Williams
9. Mark Higgins
10. Yann Moysey
11. Ted Swales
12. Alex Brownlie
13. Manny Cammarata
14. Callum Barry
15. Brodie Howatson
16. Amaury Montarnal (FR)
17. Ryan Lenihan
18. Joe Barton

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