Nottingham Casuals 12 Southwell 28

5th November 2016

Midlands 2 East North

Casuals lose another tense encounter, and Mark Higgins possibly out for weeks.
Nottingham Casuals 12 Southwell 28

Casuals had yet another battle against Southwell, but put up a much better performance than the game last season.

Unfortunately Casuals will be without captain Mark Higgins for several weeks after he sustained a serious ankle injury.
With vice-captain Henry Franklin already sidelined, Casuals will have to look for an on-field captain for the foreseeable future.

Once again, it was another nerve racking game.
Southwell scored as early as the 7th minute, their centre taking route one through some terrible defending, and out paced everyone to the try line for the dot down which was converted, to give a 7 point lead.
Casuals’ scrum it’s own for some time in the set piece, but Southwell made were swift in attack, predominantly through the backs, and they kept the pressure up.
Their confidence was highlighted when they awarded a penalty smack in front of the posts, and they went for the option of a kick to touch.
Obviously they had a planned move , and it was simple, lineout, a driven maul, and over for another converted try. 14 – 0

Casuals were not daunted by this and they went on the attack.
Higgins burst through, Brody Howatson took it on, and Casuals were awarded a scrum, from which N0 8 Liam Annable went over for the try, Higgns converting.

Casuals were then given a lift when Southwell’s hooker was yellow carded, and had a one man advantage.

The mood only lasted 2 minutes before Higgins received his injury, a Southwell man falling onto his leg as he ran forward. Both men had to come off, but Higgins unfortunately was taken to hospital.

Although Southwell then rallied for the next few passages of play, it was Casuals who then started to become more dominant.
They took play up to Southwell’s 22, and they were awarded a lineout .
It looked odds on Casuals were going to post the next try as Hallam went clear, but he was hauled down, and Casuals were subsequently awarded a penalty. Unfortunately the kick from stand in kicker, James Wood, was off target.

The second half began with Casuals in control .
Firstly Josh Newton broke through and his kick and chase was very nearly rewarded with a try, but his valiant attempt ended when he was adjudged to have knocked on, the spectators thinking he had crossed the line. Pity, but the ball was still infield.
The hosts kept up the pressure both forwards and backs were well in the loose.
Kieran Maisonnet took the ball on from a lineout, and looked a certainty to score, but again Southewll’s defence was good.

Southwellh had another man yellow carded 20 minutes into the half, and this time Casuals did take advantage, Howatson sending Ben Hallam through, as he ran onto a sweetly timed pass.
Casuals were within 2 points, and could have drawn level with the conversion

On the ½ hour Southwell got a really soft try when an attempted clearance kick was easily taken, and the ball was quickly moved down the wing, taking them over for the 3rd converted touch down.

Southwell then got their 4th try, and the bonus point when they repeated a move from the lineout. Casuals unable to halt the driving maul, so close to the try ine.
The scoreline really was not an indication of Casuals general play, but they will be regretting the very soft tries they let in, when they could have come away with a losing bonus point at the very least.

The RJH conversion specialists man of the match in this Rothera Sharp solicitors sponsored game was captain Josh Newton

Next game is in Friday night, a cup game under lights against West Bridgford, away 7.45 p.m. kick off.
They have already successfully trialled an evening game, so Casuals agreed to the switch to a Friday night.