Nott'm Casuals 36 Nott'm Moderns 20

Nottinghamshire Intermediate cup
20th April 2019

Nott'm Casuals 36 Nott'm Moderns 20

Not an unexpected win, but welcome nevertheless, especially after Moderns make Casuals work all the way, on the hottest day of the year.

Stu Williams scores for Casuals after 12 minutes
Barry Harding carried the ball up the middle, offloading to Kris Jakuba, who in turn passed on to captain Stu Williams, who evaded some half hearted tackling to stride away over a distance of 40 metres for Casuals 1st try, which was converted by Casuals newest goal kicker Andy Crimmins (the younger Boltonite No 9) 7 - 0
Williams was to play a crucial role throughout the afternoon, especially with his defensive work and lineout takes, as demonstrated throughout the season
Casuals withstood a brief Moderns surge, but eventually went on the attack themselves. If they could have kept hold of the ball at crucial times the scores would have come thick and fast.
Jakuba, then Crimmins made breaks, but both moves were halted due to knock ons.
Fortunately Moderns were unable to capitalise on their possession, and they conceded a penalty on 29 minutes, which stand off Yann Moysey put into touch deep in Moderns half.
Casuals line out was taken cleanly, the ball was moved, and from a maul centre field, hooker Pete Underwood found room to scramble through for the second try.
12 – 0 to Casuals
Moderns unfortunately managed peg the score back to 12 – 5 on 38 minutes, as they crossed for their 1st try
The game was going towards ½ time, but Casuals still had time for one more score.
Moderns were penalised for a high tackle in front of the posts, Casuals opted for kick to touch, rather than at goal.
Casuals line out machine was smooth as ever, the ball was eventually taken through for a rare try for prop Stephen Baraniak, which Crimmins again converted
19 – 5 half time, and Casuals looked to be cruising to the win
Period 2
Casuals were lucky not concede a try earlier.
Casuals were on the attack, but unfortunately a hand off was deemed illegal, and Moderns were able to break out, getting up to Casuals’ 5 metre line.
That attack was repelled when Jakuba’s tackle, and then Williams steal of a pass right on the try line, which gave Casuals temporary relief.
Moderns came back at Casuals from the ensuing lineout, and they eventually crossed for a converted try.
19 -12
The sides both scored tries in quick succession
Niall O'kane scored for Casuals on 50 minutes with Andy Crimmins kicking a conversion to advance the score to 26 – 12, and again Casuals were in a comfortable lead.
Moderns however refused to give in, and they went over for an unconverted try, making life uncomfortable again with the score at 26 – 17, following that up with a penalty, pulling the lead back to less than one converted score.
71 minutes
Casuals managed to re-establish a better margin after forcing their way down field.
The referee showed Moderns a yellow card, and Andy Crimmins kicked the penalty for Casuals 29 -20
Casuals then sealed the victory in style.
Gaining possession from a maul near ½ way, some slick interpassing allowed Jakuba some space down the wing, and he showed his straight running ability, as he tore through for the final try for Casuals.
Andy Crimmins kicked the conversion making the final score 36 -20. It looked a comfortable win, but it certainly was not that.
All credit to Casuals, as once again the players, despite the myriad of changes, made it a memorable afternoon for all Casuals present.
As the season draws to close, Casuals can look back on the afternoon with pride.
Really looking forward to the final 2 games, because the season has been a fantastic so far.
So thank you so far for the 21 league wins, and the cup triumph
Next week, the final league game against Bakewell, nothing so far to suggest anything other than a trip to Buxton F.C. for a 3 p.m. kick off