Dronfield 29 Nottingham Casuals 55

Following the previous week’s cup encounter against Southwell, which Casuals eventually won comfortably 32-14, they went to Dronfield full of optimism.
Although seeing several changes from the previous game, the team was almost the same as finished last season’s campaign.

The first score came on 10 minutes when Dronfield backs put an awful pass to ground & Brody Howatson rushed up to kick ahead and followed the ball into the corner for the try.
Unfortunately Casuals early lead was shortlived when Dronfield took the ball on from a lineout to score their first try, and this was shortly followed by a second when Casuals desire to throw the ball about led to Dronfield gaining possession from a break down in play, and they took the score to 12 – 5.

But it wasn’t long before Casuals took command of the game.

Chris Brelsford brought the ball out of Casuals 22 following a Dronfield kick ahead, and his endeavour led to Casuals moving the ball crossfield through the backs for Wilkinson to score.

Oli Mott then charged a kick down, and he quickly popped the ball up to Joe Barton in close support, who in turn fed fellow 2nd rower Josh Tilford who managed to squeeze over the line.
Mark Higgins converted both tries.

Brelsford then had a hand in the next try, when his quick tap penalty following a Dronfield offence, gave the backs room to run at the Dronfield defence again, and Wilkinson bagged his second of the afternoon. Higgins superbly converted from near the touchline.

Turning round 26 -12 at half time, Casuals had the slope and a slight wind in their favour, and it at first looked as if Casuals could romp away, but it was Dronfield’s scrum half who waltzed a massive gap at the back of a lineout to bring the hosts back into the game.

Not fazed by this setback, Casuals continued their policy of trying to keep the ball alive, and Brelsford helped himself to 2 tries, both of which Higgins again converted.

Casuals however were guilty of sloppy defending when Dronfield went through for the next try again giving them a little glimmer of hope, but Casuals were having none of it.
They tightened up their defence again, and they took the game away from Dronfield.
Firstly Higgins potted a penalty. Then Brelsford’s determination took over for his hat trick try, just reward for his graft during the game.

The final try was superb display of quick hands by the backs, with a couple of switched passes, and some great angles of running, Higgins finally looped on the outside, using his pace to score Casuals final try, which he converted himself.

Although Dronfield were out of it by now, they had the final word by scoring a converted try right at the death.

Both sides earned a bonus point under the new system for scoring four tries, Casuals coming out with the maximum of 5 for their final points tally and winning margin.

Next week might be a sterner test, as the 1st XV travel to Grimsby