Casuals 16 W.B. 12

22nd October 2016

Midlands 2 East North

Nottingham Casuals 16 West Bridgford 12

Casuals had yet another battle in the league, this time against local rivals West Bridgford, managing to bury the ghost of last season’s horror shows, and break their league duck.
It was a nerve racking game, but one which hopefully proves a point, to quote from last week’s report
“On this showing, and previous weeks’ displays, it can’t be long before Casuals get their just reward, by winning the one game that will spark their season into life.”

Casuals put Bridgford under pressure for the opening minutes of the game, taking play into Bridgford’s 22, but initially their defence was up to the task.
A kick to touch deep inside Bridgford’s 22, lead to a maul, No 8 Liaam Annable took it on, barging through the first line of defence, then wing forward Simba Matambo completed the move, diving in for his first ever try for Casuals. What a game to score your first try.

Play went back upfield, from the restart and eventually Annable took the ball through, a long kick took Casuals into Bridgford’s half and eventually the pressure told and Mark Higgins converted a penalty to give Casuals an 8 point lead.

Play fluctuated a lot after that, and Bridgford gained valuable ground when they were awarded a penalty.
Casuals’ resoluteness in defence was put to the test, and they eventually forced a penalty to take them away from their goal line.
The forwards played their part blocking a lot of surges by the opposition pack, and Bridgford moves through the backs were thwarted by some excellent covering tackling.

Eventually though the pressure did tell, and Bridgford took play up after a telling run from their generously proportioned prop, leading to a converted try.

The second half did not start too well for Casuals as Antonios Alexiou (Spaniard as he is known at Casuals) was deemed to have committed a high tackle to stop a run, worthy of a yellow card
One could disagree with AA’s punishment, as it was neither dangerous or try preventing, very difficult to understand. Had it been a high tackle i.e. across the neck or face, or a pull down by the shirt collar, then it would have been justified, but 2 hands to the back of the shirt, high maybe, penalty, possibly, but deserving a yellow, debatable. But to Casuals’ credit they got on with the game.
Bridgford started to gain the upper hand, as they moved the ball about taking play close to Casuals’ try line, eventually leading to a try, which was not converted.
Then it was Casuals on the attack, and they could have retaken the lead, but a penalty kick missed the mark.
Casuals however got just reward for their persistent attacking and James Wood eventually crossed for the try to marginally restore the advantage.
Higgins finally put the nail in the coffin when he slotted a penalty, to give the hosts a very well deserved victory

Despite the closeness of the game, the discipline of the game was generally good, with very little foul play, but there was some back chat to the referee, which gave Casuals some territorial advantage.

So well done guys, great effort, fantastic win, great discipline**, well deserved.