Casuals 17 Stamford 20

Midlands 2 East North

Casuals 17 Stamford 20

The game was played in very wet conditions with a light wind in
the Casuals' faces in the first half, which reflected the scoring.
Stamford demonstrated their intent from the off, and Casuals were soon on the defensive, but they weathered the early attacks.
After 4 minutes Casuals won a lineout, and slick handling gave Jamie Baxter the room down the left wing to show his pace, and he scooted past the Stamford defence to go in his league debut try, Gareth Davies-Jones converted.

Unfortunately the euphoria was short lived as Stamford came back with a penalty after 10 minutes.
4 minutes later and they took the lead when they drove a maul over the line following a lineout.

They then drove over another maul after 25 minutes, and then repeated the move from another line out, which they converted to take their score to 20 points.

Casuals set piece was providing good quick ball, and Casuals started to work their way back into the game.
They managed to get within striking distance of the Stamford line, and Mark Higgins jinked through for Casuals' 2nd try.

This left the score 12 – 20 at the break, and Casuals were looking as if they could steal the win.
They were the better side all round, even though Stamford's backs were still causing problems.
Casuals were able to contain the attacks, and then set up camp in Stamford's half.
7 minutes later 2nd row Tom Lightfoot crossed the line, following a line-out, to record his second try in 2 weeks.

The forwards were dominating Stamford's forwards, and despite winning the set pieces,and disrupting Stamford's
scrum, Casuals were unable to add to their score, despite dominating the game for much of the 2nd half, and they lost ground late on when they conceded a penalty, that took Stamford back to safety, and Casuals had to defend
for the last few minutes.

Casuals were left wondering why they were again unable to win despite being the better side for much of the game.