After two lack lustre displays in the previous weeks, Casuals turned themselves around, and really took the game to the visitors. It went from hum, to mmmm, as Casuals showed they were not about to be rolled over.

Casuals’ forwards were dominant in set piece and the loose, and the backs tackled their opposite numbers out of the game.

The first few minutes suggested that Casuals were going to be the dominant side, but after some early pressure it was Melbourne’s forwards who took play down into Casuals’ half, and some backchat let Melbourne get into a position close to Casuals line, and they subsequently conceded a very soft try from a simple move off a lineout.

After 15 minutes Mark Higgins put in a telling up and under. Casuals backs following up, caused panic in the Melbourne backs. They failed to gather the ball, and Brody Howatson hacked the ball ahead, following up to touch down.
Higgins converted from wide out.

Another 15 minutes elapsed, before Casuals got on the scoreboard again.
They had been causing disruption in Melbourne’s ranks as they constantly got up to challenge their moves, and disrupt their possession.

Melbourne conceded possession when Casuals forwards again harassed the Melbourne defence from a lineout, and Ben Wells charged through to grab the ball for a try.

Casuals again harried the visitors into spilling the ball, gaining possession midfield, full back Ben Hallam was sent through in the centre for the next try, Higgins converting, to give Casuals a 19 – 5 half time lead.

The second half carried on much as the first, despite Melbourne managing to get close to Casuals line, they made too many mistakes, allowing Casuals to get back on the attack. Melbourne’s cause was not helped by having players sin binned and finally having a player red-carded for a second yellow card.

A lineout 40 metres out was driven over the Melbourne line, but no touch down was awarded. From the resulting 5 metre scrum, Casuals went forward, setting up a quick maul, and the ball was sent down the backs for Chris Brelsford to go in for the first of two tries.

The second try came from a scrum. Casuals were awarded a penalty, and opted for a scrum. Again a simple passing move gave Brelsford room to stroll in, Higgins converting.

The last try was a the result of a move down the backs, performed at speed. Hallam sliced through in the centre, and shipped a superb pass to give Ben Wilkinson an unchallenged run to the line.

The result was all the more satisfying for Casuals , as many of the players had been in the side beaten narrowly at Melbourne early in the season.

The title and promotion are very much in Casuals hands. They need to maintain the form and the attitude to be in the mix at the end of the season

Mellish next week, away