1st XV v Kesteven match report 2nd Oct 2010

Midlands 3 East (North)
Nottingham Casuals 39 - Kesteven 7

Another bonus point win puts Casuals joint top of the league.
Spectators were treated to a much more enjoyable spectacle than the previous week’s loss against Long Buckby. (RFU Senior Vase Lost 0 – 21)
With almost a full contingent of regular first team players available, Casuals showed what they can do.
However they had to endure a period with a slender lead, and despite some early pressure, they could only manage 2 Mark Higgins penalties.
It was Kesteven who went through for the first try of the game, which came on the half hour, and they briefly led until just before half time when Casuals built on scrum possession. Josh Tilford picked up from the ensuing maul, blasted straight through the middle, and ran in from 30 metres to score under the posts, with Higgins adding the extras, and establish a 13 – 7 half time lead.

The second half was a complete revelation.

The first score of the half came when the forwards turned lineout possession into a maul, and as they pushed Kesteven back, Higgins took advantage of an undefended blindside to scoot in at the corner. 18 - 7

Casuals began to apply more pressure, and their harassing and contesting breakdowns paid dividends.

Casuals turned over scrum possession after a crooked lineout throw in, and they again set up a driving maul to taking Kesteven 15 metres back over their line for another touchdown, score credited to Andy Gill, which Higgins converted. 25 – 7

More pressure, and Casuals again nicked possession at a scrum.
The forwards provided the platform, and the ball was swiftly moved to the wing where Chris Brelsford completely skinned his opposite number to touch down for the 4th try and the bonus point. Higgins again on target with the conversion. 32 - 7
(See from the match photos that Brelly clearly scored in the 1st half)

Kesteven added to their woes when they made a complete hash of a quick throw in, after Casuals had kicked to touch out of their 22. The K’s full back, who had been having a fairly decent game, but had begun to react to the pressure, managed to drop the ball in the path of Brodie Howatson , who was in no mood to again be deprived of a score. He picked up the loose ball and out sprinted the flailing defence for the 5th try, once again Higgins bagging the kick.

Next week Casuals travel to joint league leaders Melbourne, which should prove a much sterner encounter.