Dronfield 51 Nottingham Casuals 27

Midlands 2 East North

19th March 2016

Dronfield 51 Nottingham Casuals 27

Casuals knew they were in for a battle, with Dronfield aiming for promotion.
With a lot of changes, mainly in the pack, where Adam Connolly went to an un-accustomed role at hooker, Ash Sunderland took over at loose head, Ben Foss came in for his first outing at lock alongside Tom Lighfoot, who has been residing on the south coast, and returned to help Casuals in their hour of need. So it was good to see that the pack gelled so well, considering they had never played as a unit.
Alex Walkden started on the wing, with Paul Greensmith retaining the no 9 shirt.

Casuals knew were going to be severely tested but they did not bargain for the early onslaught from Dronfield as they gained the try bonus point well before half time.
Casuals could only manage an early penalty from Mark Higgins, before he added a converted try just before half time, when he dummied through following a lineout on Dronfield’s line.

With the slope in their favour, Casuals mounted a fightback.

Ben Hallam came into the line at speed, timing his run to perfection to take a hard crisp pass from Higgins, and he went clean through from 30 metres, totally untouched for Casuals’ second try, which Higgins converted.

Unfortunately the mini revival was more than matched by Dronfield as they crossed for more tries, but Casuals showed their resolve as they went in for 2 more themselves, the first from substitute Josh Newton, running in wide out, and then No 8 Liam Annable bruised his way through from the back of a scrumdown to earn Casuals the consolation of the 4 try bonus point.

Dronfield topped the league after the game, so the loss was no disgrace to Casuals.

Casuals head into their last game, hosting relegated Mansfield at Canalside next week, hoping to get the treble over the visitors, having already beaten them in the league and cup.
The game is preceded by a lunch for invited guests

Casuals have a stack more Rugby to look forward to as they follow that with a Nottinghamshire cup semi final at home on the 23rd, against Moderns or Ashfield, then if successful, they head to Southwell for the finals on the 1st of May (Sunday).
That is then followed by the final of the NLD shield against Glossop, also at Southwell, the Saturday after.

Make yourselves available, guys.
Forget about the shopping, holidays, cricke;, finish off what has been a gruelling season, in style. Try help get some more silverware for the trophy cabinet.
After that abit of work in the changing rooms, before the Solstice 7s