Ashbourne 59 Casuals 17

Ashbourne 59 Casuals 17

To borrow the chorus of the Shrovetide Tuesday ball game, with a little twist.
'Tis a glorious game, deny it who can
That tries the pluck of a Casuals' man.

Casuals conceded many tries on an afternoon probably best forgotten.
For some, it was their first experience of playing at Ashbourne, and hopefully some good will come of the game, although after the final whistle, it probably did not seem like it.
Casuals had to leave behind their comfortable surroundings, and travel away for the first time in many weeks. Casuals were probably in high spirits after the previous weeks result.

Unfortunately they were in for a bit of shock, not only during the game, but being polite as possible, the changing facilities that are long past their best. A great build up to any game. The only aspect that might have brightened the day, was the sunshine.

Casuals opened with a great attack, getting right down to Ashbourne's 22, but managed to concede a penalty, and Ashbourne came right back upfield. Ashbourne's backs looked dangerous from the outset, but to Casuals' creit they went back, with Ben Hallam nearly breaking through. The ball was kicked towards Ashbourne's half, but they regained a huge amount of ground and they got the ball against the head in the scrum, and again gained ground by virtue of a huge kick ahead, which wasn't covered.
That was the sign of what the tactics were going to be. They took a lineout 15 metres out, and crossed for a converted try.
They repeated the move a few minutes later, and with only one man defending the kick, Ashbourne retrieved the ball and crossed for a second converted try.
Casuals didn't help their cause, putting the ball straight out from the kick off, and Ashbourne were awarded a scrum on half way.
Casuals regained possession from a lineout, but then contrived to drop the ball, allowing Ashbourne to attack again. Fortunately they were penalised just short of Casual's line, and the pressure was relieved briefly.
The next attack was halted, Brodie Howatson ripping the ball in the tackle, but then got neck rolled for his trouble, emerging with a bloody and twisted nose, spelling the end of his game for the afternoon, after only 21 minutes.
Casuals should have put themselves deep into Ashbourme's 22 from the resulting penalty, but the kick went dead.
Yet another penalty went to Casuals, which was kicked to touch for a lineout.
Casuals lost their throw in, and Ashbourne went upfield, but just as they looked as if they would break away, a pass was intercepted on half way, and Jamie Baxter outsprinted the defence to touch down, and with James Wood adding the conversion, the lead was only 7 points.
But Ashbourne were only just getting into their stride.
On 29 minutes they yet again booted the ball upfield, and with Casuals failing to put any distance on the touch kick, Ashbourne turned possession from the lineout into their 3rd converted try.
Ashbourne were beginning to make a lot a ground as Casuals failed to cover their kicks, and the tackling was not up to par, allowing Ashbourne to gain huge amounts of territory.
Although came back briefly on the attack, Casuals showing they could play ball in hand, but then they again surrendered the ball with a poor kick ahead, which Ashbourne easily retrieved. They then managed to run through centre field without much resistance, and gained their bonus point try.
Right on the stroke of half time Wood clawed back 3 points with his second kick at goal, leaving the score at half time 26 - 10 to the hosts.
Casuals managed to again surrender possession, when they knocked on at the kick off, and Ashbourne put the ball down the backs, recycled it from the breakdown and cut through the centre for another converted try.
The tackling simply was not good enough to halt Ashbourne's backs, and they were having a bit of an easy run.
At long Casuals managed to get possession and retained the ball,the forwards putting together a good move with some intelligent interpassing taking them up to Ashbourne's try line from where Lewis Brown managed to sneak in through the defence, and Wood added the extras with a well taken conversion. (33 - 17)
Just when it seemed Casuals might pull themselves back into the game, Ashbourne simply upped the pace, eventually getting in for another 4 tries.
Try as they might, Casuals were simply not able to get over for their 4th try.
Some effort was clearly evident as Casuals repeatedly pushed forward, but too many errors played into Ashbourne's hands.

To rub it in Casuals were left with several men injured and needing treatment, so it is fortunate there is no league game for 2 weeks.
Some lessons hopefully learnt.

Next game against Coalville 10th December, at Casuals, 2.15 p.m. kick off, preceded by a lunch for the older members, both male and female, as guests invited include players from the Womens' side.
Please make an effort to attend.

RJH conversion specialists Man of the match No 7, Joshua Crick.

RJH Conversions