Nottingham Casuals 36 Bakewell Mannerians 12

5th December 2015
Midlands 2 East North
Nottingham Casuals 36 Bakewell Mannerians 12

Casuals knew that they had to win this game handsomely, as Bakewell were languishing second from bottom of the league, and after the loss to bottom side Spalding, Casuals had to redeem themselves.
Unfortunately for Bakewell, the loss pushed them to the bottom of the league.

Last season Casuals finished the league with a game at Bakewell, and a lack lustre performance saw them lose 24 -12, so they were out to avenge that defeat as well.

Casuals brought several players into the line up, with Craig Wallace back in at prop, Lewis Brown & Matt Fox in at lock, Rob Webster starting at hooker, with Graeme Roberts shifted to wing forward, and Sam Francis onto the subs bench. Mark Higgins returned in the backs, and Danny Riley selected on the wing.

Playing against a ferocious wind, blowing straight down the pitch, Casuals adopted sensible tactics, save a few loose moments, knowing that kicking the ball would play into Bakewell’s hands.
The forwards were instrumental in gaining the hard yards, with play in backs and forwards focussing on short offloads, and good support work to recycle the ball, keeping pressure on Bakewell from the off.
10 minutes in Casuals could not resist kicking the ball and that resulted in a brief respite for Bakewell, as they cleared their line, but the ball was brought back, and once again the forwards kept it tight mauling right up to the try line, and Higgins nipped down the blind for a try in the corner.
Bakewell had a chance to reply with a penalty kick at goal, but fortunately it went wide.
Casuals the came back again concentrating on gaining ground, and eventually when the ball was released to centre, Brodie Howatson he went through the narrowest of gaps, and once again his speed took him clear to dot down.

Casuals were looking dominant at this stage, but needed to concentrate, to maintain the game plan, but it did not quite work. Bakewell got possession midfield, and their centre went on a lateral run and linking up with his support for a score against the run of play, with a conversion following to close the score to 10 - 7.
Casuals nearly got over for a 3rd try, when they ran the ball back from deep after a Bakewell kick, and the ball was spun out, with lock Lewis Brown putting winger Danny Riley away, but it ended with a scrum to Bakewell, and they managed to quell the attack, leaving the half time score at 10 -7.

The second half was as predicted, with Bakewell having to defend their line from the off.
With no let up by the gale, it was impossible for Bakewell to kick to clear, and they were pinned back for long periods. It was only a matter of time before they tired, but they kept Casuals out for a further 20 minutes.
Casuals switched players around, and that brought about a change in fortunes.
Gareth Davies-Jones came in on a run from full back, and that allowed Steve John to get through from the broken play, but with no conversion the score was still tight.
Then followed a bizarre attempt at a drop goal from near 1/2 way but it only found its way to the left hand side of the field. (In golf that would have been an almighty hook, as near to an out bounds shot one could ever imagine) Fortunately the backs followed up and penned Bakewell back, with a ruck developing, Davies-Jones burrowed his way over for the try. Higgins at last managed to get the ball through the posts for the conversion.
On the 1/2 hour mark, just when it seemed as if Casuals would stretch away, Bakewell’s determination was rewarded as they broke away and some poor tackles let them in for a try.
The Casuals forwards then again took charge, play was taken up to Bakewell’s the try line in the corner, and Higgins took route one from the lineout for the try, which he converted.
At last the scoreline was looking much more respectable for Casuals.

Casuals finally sealed the win when Bakewell lost the ball under pressure on mid way, and Howatson’s followed his hack on with a foot chase, but just when it looked as if he might touch down himself, he was beaten by Danny Riley zooming past him or the final try, with Higgins finding the range to post a really good result, which hopefully consigns some of the previous league results to memory.

Next week Casuals travel to yo-yo side Coalville, hopefully to overcome a team that is not having the best of seasons, but can spring a surprise, if Casuals do not work as hard as they did in this game. They cannot afford to be wasteful with their possession. Coalville have experienced promotion and relegation over the last few seasons, so they are no pushover despite their league position.
Keeping the ball in hand, and good support has been their style of play, and Casuals have to beat them at their own game, which means no loose play, and most definitely controlled kicking. Heads on

Casuals also were made aware of their next opponents in the RFU Intermediate cup, with a trip to Stourbridge Lions on January 2nd.