Melbourne 16 Nottingham Casuals 15.

Midlands 2 East North
Melbourne 16 Nottingham Casuals 15.

Last minute heartache for Casuals as their winning streak disappointingly ended.

Casuals put in a very average performance, no real gain line presence in forwards
and they were surprisingly porous in defence, which has been their bedrock in the past few weeks.
Casuals got a nicely taken try in the corner after about 35 minutes on his debut,from Julian Peacock, which was unconverted.
Melbourne responded with a penalty.
Half time 5-3.

Second half Melbourne got a penalty, followed by a converted try
and then Casuals responded with 10 mins of concerted effort with quicker ball, Josh
Newton coming on. Casuals got a nice try from Oli Walker benefiting from good pattern of
play in the midfield, after Melbourne spilled the ball from a big hit.
Converted.

Casuals then pressed Melbourne hard and with 3 mins to go, Casuals got a penalty
which they took 3 points from, to go 15-13 up.
In the final few minutes, Casuals looked tired and Melbourne upped the pace.
Casuals were uncharacteristically slow to the breakdowns.
With 1 minute to go Casuals gave Melbourne a free
uncontested line out on 22, which Melbourne drove on, getting a penalty advantage.
Melbourne spread the ball and Casuals were deemed to have deliberately knocked it
on, when making a tackle on last man.
The Melbourne kicker converted his penalty kick on the final
whistle to win 16-15.