Nottingham Casuals  34  Coalville  24

2nd April 2016

Midlands 2 East North

Nottingham Casuals  34  Coalville  24

Veteran speedster, Club Captain Ben Hallam shines in crucial must win game, and Baxter score gives Casuals a 5th try as they escape the relegation dog fight, in a bonus point win.

Casuals again knew they had to secure the win in order to maintain their position just above the relegation zone, if they could avenge the defeat earlier in the season by the Coalville.
Playing on a hard surface in the sunshine, suited Casuals’ style of play, rather than the morass they had to play on in Coalville, they just needed to get the ball handling right.

Coalville, were just above Casuals in the league table going into the game, and Casuals knew it was going to be a tough afternoon. What they did not bargain for was Coalville's early burst of scoring and their refusal to give in, even though they looked well beaten in the second half.

Coalville scored twice within 11 minutes, the first after nine when Casuals’ defence was completely wrong footed by an awkwardly bouncing kick ahead, giving Coalville a stroll in for the try.
The second try was as a result of Casuals losing their own ball at a scrum in Coalville’s 1/2 and again the luck of the bounce favoured the visitors as they collared the loose ball as it evaded Casuals’ defenders, and a few simple passes led to a converted try.

It was looking ominous for Casuals, but they kept on the attack, and their efforts were rewarded, the speed of Howatson and Hallam getting them into Coalville’s 22.
The ball was recycled out of the maul, and Higgins drifted a long, high miss pass to Steve Naylor on the wing, and he had a simple run in for the try.
Although play fluctuated somewhat, one moment Casuals attacking but giving away penalties and possession, next Coalville testing Casuals defences.
Casuals could easily have scored, but the passing was not on the mark, and Casuals spurned easy opportunities as the ball was kept in hand instead of using the supporting players, with the line at Casuals’ mercy.
Mark Higgins got Casuals’ next score with a simple penalty from in front of the posts.
Casuals kept pressing but just could not find their way over the line.They lost the ball right on Coalville’s line, but the clearance kick from the resultant scrum did not reach touch, Hallam retrieved the high ball and his scything run took him through, a ruck developed inside Coalville’s 5 metre, and Barry Harding dived in for the try, giving Casuals a slender one point lead at half time.

What was to follow would have tested anyone’s nerves, the second half becoming a marathon.
After an injury break, Coalville regained the lead, pushing up from 1/2 way, they ran in for the simplest of tries, and Casuals were back under the cosh.
It was full back Hallam again who cut Coalville to ribbons as he sprinted through in a move starting from a lineout deep in Casuals’ territory. An audacious side step took him past the final defenders for the try and Higgins added the conversion for Casuals to go in front again by 3 points.
Casuals put themselves under pressure by miss directed kicks, which gave Coalville territorial advantage, and again Casuals had to work their way out of defence, eventually being awarded a penalty, but the kick at goal missed.Coalville cleared upfield, but the ball failed to reach touch, and the kick went to Hallam who again ran straight back through Coalville’s ranks, and hooker Rob Webster was up in support to take the pass for another Casuals’ try, which earned them the bonus point. Higgins conversion gave Casuals a 10 point lead, which seemed as if might be enough to seal the win.
Coalville’s forwards who had used the rolling maul throughout the game put Casuals back on the defensive, and when they had the put in at a scrum on Casuals’ 5 metre line, the refereee deemed that Casuals had caused a collapse, and Coalville were awarded a penalty try, and now the score was only 27 to 24 in Casuals favour.

The half now became interminably long, the hoped for final whistle seeming never to come, the clock by now going 20 minutes into extra time.
Casuals’ fifth try came through wing Jamie Baxter. What seemed to be a half hearted kick ahead was not gathered by Coalville, and Baxter, the only Casuals’ player following up, hacked the ball away from 2 despairing defenders, and won the chase to the bouncing ball and he ran in completely unopposed for touch down.
Higgins converted to give Casuals a 10 point advantage, which deprived Coalville of the losing bonus point.

Casuals edged above Coalville in the table, and more importantly, sees Casuals safe, and in the knowledge they might have a hand in who is relegated in the battle between Mansfield and Spalding. Casuals’ final game on April 16th is at home against Mansfield, which could turn out to be a bit of battle.
Casuals have won the preceding games in league and cup, so the incentive of the treble could see Mansfield have to fight to survive in the league.
As well as 2 remaining games in the league (next week, away to Dronfield) Casuals now have the final in the 3 Counties Shield to look forward to on the 7th May against Glossop, at Southwell, 2.30 kick off, and before that a home game on the 23rd of April in the semi finals of the Notts cup, against Moderns or Ashfield, the finals to take place at Southwell, 1st May