West Bridgford 26 Nottingham Casuals 25

18th February 2017
Midlands 2 East North

West Bridgford 26 Nottingham Casuals 25

Casuals had yet another battle in the league against local rivals West Bridgford, but not managing the double by the margin of one conversion.
It was a nerve racking game, one which Casuals really needed to win to get them nearer league safety. Because of their 4 try haul, and a losing bonus point, they got 2 league points, but without a doubt, it should have a 5 pointer.
Had the opportunities been taken, and the game management focused on scoring tries, then Casuals grit would have taken them to the win. Neither would have had to worry about the referee’s faux pas.
West Bridgford played to their strengths, and with a dose of good fortune, ruined Casuals’ afternoon.

Casuals forwards had a fantastic game, all of them working to impose themselves on the opposition.
They had the better of Bridgford in the lineouts, an area which should have been exploited more, the scrums were functional, providing good possession. Rucks and mauls were at times scruffy, but overall they had the ability to win the match.
With the consistency of availability of players, this is a unit that works well, whereas the backs are not quite as settled.

Casuals started at a great pace, recycling the ball from the rucks and mauls, and they got to within inches of Bridgford’s line but were initially rebuffed. However kicking a penalty to touch gave Casuals the platform to attack from the lineout, and Mark Higgins went over for the try. Unfortunately the conversion kick never threatened the posts.
West Bridgford then came on the attack, and although Casuals managed to hold them back, and clearing their try line with a free kick, Bridgford sent the 3s away from the lineout for a try in the opposite corner, which was converted, to give them a 2 point lead.

Casuals came back on the attack, and they were camped on Bridgford’s line, but try as they might, they could not breach the defence, and when a Casuals’ player tried to touch down by diving over the ruck (why?), the ball was knocked on and the moment was over.
That gave Bridgford the opportunity to get back downfield and their attack was only stopped by James Wood tracking back to tackle, but it was not long before they took the ball from a lineout, Higgins stopped the move, but a 5 metre scrum gave Bridgford the chance to easily run through sloppy defending, and get the touchdown and the subsequent conversion.

It was Casuals turn to attack after that, but again the attack foundered when Casuals lost possession, just a bit too greedy,
The play moved back and forth. First Bridgford were denied, Howatson managing to clear the ball away.
Casuals attacked , and a move midfield followed by a chip ahead, which was gathered and the passes went out to Dan O’Connor, who ran straight, outsprinting the defence to score in the corner. (Unconverted)

Casuals came right back, but again were thwarted, but a penalty awarded to Casuals banh in front of the posts was converted by Higgins, and the gap was down to one point.
H/T 14 - 13

Casuals we pushed back on the defensive from the restart, but a superb kick from Barney Sears put Casuals deep into Bridgford territory, Casuals got possession at the lineout and Ben Hallam went in for an unconverted try give Casuals a deserved lead, but only 4 points.
Casuals could have increased their lead, but unfortunately James Wood’s long range penalty attempt (his first) shaved the paint off the outside of the post.
Then a bit of injustice, as Bridgford move the ball away from a lineout. There was a huge knock on midfield, high and way forward, completely missed by Mr Taggart, and Bridgford went in on the left for the touchdown.
19 -18
Casuals retook the lead 3 minutes later when Casuals did what they do best, and that was a kick to the corner from a penalty, a massive drive forward from Dan Bordom, (that’s Daniel Clement Osei-Bordom, too much to write though) and Jack Weedon went in for the try, converted for a scoreline of 19 – 25, and the 4 try bonus point.
Both sides were then penalised in open play, Casuals losing possession when they were adjudged to have obstructed in a move, Bridgford kicked to touch, and then simply span the ball down the line and a try was awarde far out on the left, which was converted to give Bridgford a one point lead.
However Casuals weren’t finished, and they made one last desperate attempt on Bridgford’s try line, and as they seemed to be getting the ball was somehow inexplicably knocked into touch by a Bridgford hand. With the ref in very close proximity it seemed a certain penalty try, but as the ball had gone dead, the final whistle was blown, with Casuals looking aghast and bewildered having been denied the winning try, 5 bonus points and not the 2 league points they actually got.

The RJH conversion specialists man of the match in this Rothera Sharp solicitors sponsored game was I think Steve Johns, according to WB Director of Rugby, might be wrong