Casuals 36 Mansfield 12

Midlands 2 East North

16th April 2016

Nottingham Casuals  36  Mansfield  12

Casuals completed the treble over Mansfield, 2 league wins and 1 in the cup, finishing in eight place, which considering the league position not long ago, is a good outcome.

Free of any inhibitions the game was great to watch, even though Mansfield managed to cross for 2 tries in the final minutes, by which time Casuals' 36 point lead, allowed them to be generous.
Mansfield descent through the leagues has been somewhat spectacular, considering where they have been in the leagues of recent years, and they head into Midlands 3 East (North) with Bakewell.

Casuals ended their league season with a flourish, unfortunately applying the final rites to Mansfield, who drop to Division 3.

Casuals opened the scoring in the 8th minute when full back Ben “Bullet” Hallam tore through the centre, in a set piece move, to touch down.
Casuals nearly let Mansfield straight back in when they messed their own ball, but Howatson chased back and hauled down the Mansfield man just short of the line.
Mansfield's stand off then had his kick charged down by Mark Higgins and he followed up the bouncing ball, gathering it on the run to cross for the second try, which he converted.
Higgins then got his second, not without a bit of good fortune.
No 5 Matt Fox cheekily chipped ahead, the ball not being gathered by Mansfield gave Higgins the opportunity to grubber kick, and the ball bounced up for him to gather and he ran in unimpeded.

Casuals then went down to 14 men as Ben Newton was yellow carded for a supposed tip tackle.
Jury gave a resounding “not guilty” verdict on that one

Shortly after 1/2 time Mansfield were permanently reduced to 14 men, as their No 3 was dismissed for a punch, giving Oli Walker a severe nose bleed, which finished his game.
At least he was going to an appropriate place for treatment later, unfortunately it’s where he works, looking after? people suffering ill health (& punches to the nose)
I'm sure the patients must have thought it amusing.

Casuals then got their 4th try, and the bonus point when Mansfield's woeful defending allowed Steve John to go through a melee of players, touching down for a rare try, which Higgins converted.

Hallam started the move for the next try, playing with renewed confidence he caught a ball deep in defence, running it back, and his mazy run took Casuals back on the attack, and eventually the ball found Brodie Howatson, after Higgins broke clear, selflessly giving the pass to Howatson for a simple run to the line.Higgins again converted.

The final try was a gift, even though the pass wwould have resulted in a try was slapped down by the Mansfield hooker, and the referee ran between the sticks to give a penalty try.
Higgins again added the conversion.

Casuals eased off somewhat, allowing Mansfield to run in for 2 tries, scant reward for their backs efforts, as their tenure in in the division petered out.

Next week Casuals take on Ashfield at Canalside in the semi-final of the Notts cup, hoping to book a  place in the finals

Message to Oli Walker
Hope the doze, sorry nose is o.k.