Nottingham Casuals 46 Mellish 10

Midlands 3 East North
Nottingham Casuals 46 Mellish 10

The score did not reflect Casuals dominance of this game, even though Mellish staged a mid-game fightback. 7 tries to one, and it should have been even more, but give the lads credit, the first 20 and the last 20 minutes was really enjoyable to watch.

After the narrow loss to Melbourne in the last league game, Casuals bounced back win a very emphatic victory in this local derby.
The games have, in the past been very close, but it was not to be this time.

Casuals opened their account early with a Mark Higgins penalty, and then it was Chris Brelsford who finished off a 3’s move, grabbing yet another try, after a series of rucks and mauls.

The next score was a result of quick thinking!!!(yup, strue), when Mellish failed to control their own put in at the scrum, Flanker Jon Ackroyd seized on the loose ball on the blind side, and trundled in from 10 metres, with the Mellish defence totally at sea.

Casuals continued to press, and nearly crossed again, but were foiled by a knock on right on the line,however their persistence was rewarded when once again the forwards made valuable ground, and Brody Howatson ran in for his first try, converted by Higgins.

Mellish rallied just before half time, as Casuals seemed to relax, and the visitors gained a converted try.
In the second half they pulled the score back through as penalty, and seemed to be making a game of it, but with the introduction of their subs, Casuals suddenly woke up again, using decent possession from both lineouts, and scrums.
Henry Franklin, came on as sub in his first league game and his catching at the front of the line was instrumental in the revival..
The combination of surging forward play from a lineout and a succession of mauls, from 30 metres out, allowed Casuals to drive Joe Barton over the line, for the bonus point try.
They followed that up with a quickly heeled ball at a scrum in front of the Mellish posts, and the ball was swung out to Brelsford who burst through the covering defence for his second try, again converted by Higgins.
Higgins was himself the scorer of the next try, rounding off another great move, adding the conversion from wide out.

Some more hard work by the forwards took the ball into Mellish’s half, sub Johnny Betty then showed his balance and pace as he scythed through the Mellish back line and set up Howatson for his second touch down , with Higgins adding the final points of the game.