Matlock 17 v Casuals 7

17 February 2018
Midlands 2 East (N)

Matlock 17 v Casuals 7

Casuals lost out cruelly on a losing bonus point in this encounter with 2nd placed Matlock.

After a strange week with Bakewell dropping out of the league, Casuals saw their league position change slightly in their favour.
For much of this encounter Casuals were actually bossing the game, proving they can take on sides above them, given a fair crack.

Matlock were unable to get out of their own half for extended periods of play, Casuals thriving on a pitch that was a morass, .
Their first try was a bit fortuitous, as a pass was deemed to rebound off a Matlock player’s head, when Casuals seemed to have done enough to disrupt the move and win a midfield scrum. But Matlock rode their luck and scored from the confusion.

The second score was somewhat contentious, and how it was awarded will remain a mystery.

A Matlock man going forward had the good luck to be guarded by his own man, running into him from behind, which in itself should have been accidental offside, and a scrum to Casuals, but with a Casuals tackler being baulked by the front runner, Matlock went through as the gap opened up.
That part could only be obstruction, and a penalty to Casuals.
Hardly surprising Casuals seemed astounded by the decision to award the try.
Matlock taking advantage of good fortune, who wouldn't?

The third try was somewhat more legitimate, as Matlock rolled a maul over from a lineout, Casuals unable to stop the advance.

Casuals came back late on, with a try from Chris Brownlie converted by Higgins, which should have been the losing bonus point score, but not to be.

At least Casuals can take comfort that with a bit of luck, a lot of spirit and endeavour, and maybe a bit of individual brilliance, they can get the monkey off their backs.
An injection of confidence after this game, knowing they have the talent to get that vital result or two in the near future.
Playing to their strengths, and not forcing the game, keeping it simple, but not ignoring the capabilities of the team as a unit.

A pat on the back for all the effort.

Casuals welcomed Adam Dinsdale and Amaury Montornal to the team, both props.
Well done guys.

Manny Cammarata and Brodie Howatson paired up in the centre. (Is this a first for Casuals, 2 physios in the centres)
It seemed to work well, maybe a combination worth another outing??
Good steady lineout possession, and scrums that more than held Matlock.

O'CONNOR, DANIEL

NAYLOR, STEPHEN
CAMMARATA, MANNY
HOWATSON, BRODIE
CLARKE, DAN

HIGGINS, MARK
JAKUBA, KRIS

DINSDALE, ADAM (LEAGUE DEBUT)
SHAW, ALASTAIR
GILL, RICHARD C

WILLIAMS, STUART A
BARTON, JOE
ROBERTS, GRAEME
BROWNLIE, ALEXANDER
BROWNLIE, CHRISTOPHER

DAVIES-JONES, GARETH
MONTARNAL, AMAURY (LEAGUE DEBUT)
ACKROYD, JON