Nottingham Casuals 17 Dronfield 24

Midlands 3 East North

Nottingham Casuals 17 Dronfield 24

Casuals hopes of finishing the league season on a high were dashed by Dronfield, who claimed a moral victory.
Dronfield had been climbing the league in the latter weeks of the season, but this result did not affect Casuals promotion.

Casuals did not help their cause by managing to effectively gift Dronfield three tries through some sloppy passing, but they still managed to get close to salvaging a draw.

Dronfield‘s first try was the result of the first misplaced pass, and their centre went through to claim the loose ball and score under the posts, with a conversion to follow.

Casuals responded with a break, putting Brody Howatson away, his try being added to with a conversion from Mark Higgins.
But Casuals conceded 2 more tries try when passes were again misdirected, allowing Dronfield to go through for the touchdowns, with one conversion.
Casuals looked to be in a position to score when they thought they had forced a 5 metre scrum only for the whistle to go for ½ time.

Casuals began the second half a lot better than the first.
They were denied advantage when Hallam fielded a knock on , and looked to run clear, but the referee blew for the scrum, playing no advanatage.
When Dronfield later infringed, killing the ball, they had a man yellow carded, and Higgins consequently kicked a penalty.
Hallam then ran the ball deep from defence, riding a high tackle he went through the first line of defence, linking with Chris Brelsford who ran through and round several defenders before sprinting clear to the try line.
Higgins brought the scores equal with the conversion.

Unfortunately Dronfield upped their efforts, and took Casuals back to their try line, and went over for a converted pushover try.

Casuals hit back and were attacking deep in Dronfields half when the referee decided that time was up, and Casuals were left with just a losing bonus point.

In amongst several players who had been re-introduced due to un-availabilities, Ben Demambro came on as a sub in the back row.
He had been absent from the first team for over a season, and took the plaudits with his performance.
Good to see him back to near fitness.