Market Bosworth 26 Nottingham Casuals 17

Saturday 9th January 2016
Midlands 2 East North

Market Bosworth 26 Nottingham Casuals 17

Casuals surrendered victory at Market Bosworth in the second half when a win for them seemed to be the only outcome.
Playing against the wind and slope in the first half, it seemed inevitable that Casuals would take a 1/2 time lead to ultimate victory.

Bosworth opened the scoring with a 2nd minute penalty, but it was Casuals who then took the game to the hosts.

Casuals nearly managed a score when wingman Jamie Baxter’s run was stopped just short of the line, but they came back in more attacks, only daft errors stopping them scoring.
Their perseverance finally paid off, when scrum half Gareth Davies-Jones went through after a series of rucks and mauls, to sprint in for the try, leaving Mark Higgins a simple pot at goal.
Midway through the first half, Casuals forwards again provided the platform, Liam Annable took the ball through the defence, Stephen John was on hand to continue the move, and he off loaded superbly to Brodie Howatson to speed away to the try line for the second touch down, Higgins again converting.
Casuals again pressured Bosworth, and Ben Hallam was unlucky to not to cross as Casuals took an attack from deep.
Bosworth were penalised during the move, and Higgins added another 3 points

Casuals unfortunately slackened off, and Bosworth were able to cross for a converted try, and then added a penalty to narrow Casuals’ lead to 4 points.

The second half should have been a formality for Casuals, but they were unable to take advantage of the elements, and it was Market Bosworth who were the more determined.
Ill discipline in the Casuals’ ranks did not help their cause, and probably antagonised the referee, but decisions certainly did not go their way.
A couple of times when Casuals got themselves close to Bosworth’s line theyr were driven back by penalties.
A yellow card against Annable weakened Casuals sufficiently for Bosworth to get the upper hand, and they capitalised on the possession to get over for 2 more tries nad eventually a penalty.
Casuals tried their hardest to at least get a losing bonus point, but when it seemed as if they could get close from a penalty, Davies-Jones run was baulked within a metre from the spot, and instead of a further penalty, (inexplicable that one) Bosworth were awarded a scrum, from which they held out to seal an improbable victory.

Simple message, when the ref is having a bad day, don't make it worse. He missed a lot of obvious offences, offsides a plenty, killing the ball, but if he aint going to give it, he aint going to give it.

Melbourne at home next week. Casuals can avenge the one point defeat from earlier in the season. Play the game as you did in the first half last Saturday, no reason not to get the win