Worksop 7 Nottingham Casuals 8

5th Feb 2011
Midlands 3 East North
Worksop 7 Nottingham Casuals 8

Top played bottom, and fortunately for Casuals, that’s how it remained
after a very tense affair. Credit to Worksop, who belied their league
position, and made Casuals work very hard for their win, having to
defend their lead for much of the game.

The playing conditions hindered Casuals, as they attempted to play fine
weather rugby, sometimes trying to force the game, when a steady
approach was called for.
A bit of patience would have been a good idea, going through the
phases, but it was not to be. Instead they got rattled when things went
wrong, with some players ready to blame the match official, instead of
knuckling down to the task.
(A little bit more respect from the players, and some spectators,
especially, might have helped)

Casuals started well enough, the play maybe went against them
initially, but Worksop lost possession at a ruck right on Casuals goal
line, and Mark Higgins outstripped all the defence, running from the
breakdown for the try.

Then it was all Casuals as they piled the pressure on, and
Higgins then kicked a penalty, which further increased the lead, but
that was all Casuals could muster.

Casuals managed to lose the ball several times in close contact, and
when they were out mauled in the opposition half, Worksop cleared the
ball way down into Casuals half.

Casuals were not able to stem the ensuing Worksop attacks, and they conceded a
soft try, when an attacker ran straight through a gaping hole in the
centre, to touch down under the posts, the kick to follow, bringing
Worksop within one point.

Mercifully , that was all the scoring action for the rest of the game,
and Casuals grimly hung on for the second half, keeping Worksop at bay
at the latter stages, as they attempted to cause the shock of the day.

To the man in the black coat, thanks for your assertion that Casuals are “prima donnas”
Today the term has become a mainstream word outside of opera to often describe a vain, undisciplined, egotistical, obnoxious or temperamental person who finds it difficult to work under direction or as part of a team, and although irritating, cannot be done without.
However, being top of the league may paint a different picture.

Next week, Amber Valley away, in the league
2.15 kick off