Ashbourne 26 Casuals 27

Midlands 2 East (North)
Ashbourne 26 Casuals 27

Games between the 2 clubs have always been close, but never much closer than this.
In a must win game, Casuals managed to scrape the bonus point result, keeping them above Loughborough and Southwell, in the tightest run in to the end of season of recent years.

After the win at Casuals for Ashbourne, it was never going to be easy, and so it turned out.

Casuals were leading 27 - 7 at one stage, before Ashbourne staged a massive comeback, and if it was not for a game winning missed conversion, Casuals could have been left staring into the abyss.
As it is, Casuals live to fight another day, with just 2 games to go, both at home, Coalville at home on the 21st, followed by the re-arranged game versus Newark on the 28th.

Casuals made a great start, with a Howatson try after only 4 minutes,following a run out of defence by Dan O'Connor.
Howatson however still had work to do, shimmying his way round the defenders, to run in from 40 metres.

13 minutes in, Alex Brownlie showed his grit and determination, a lovely inside pass giving him a bit of room, but he still had to he fight his way through the defence, to score in the corner (first try for Casuals??)

Casuals managed to concede ground ground, a series of penalties taking Ashbourne up to Casuals 22, they were awarded a scrum 10 metres out, and they crossed for a converted try, pulling back to within 3 points.

Casuals became sloppy, not only kicking possession away, but conceding more penalties as the referee was quick to blow for anyone trying to get hands on the ball in the loose.
Ashbourne managed to miss a kick at the posts, and Casuals were able to progrees down field.
Andy Harris charged down a kick, the ball being hacked on and Alex Brownlie showed a great turn of speed to win the race to the touch down for Casuals 3rd try. This was converted by Mark Higgins, to give a half time score of 7 points to 17 in Casuals favour.

The second half started with Casuals being somewhat poor in retaining the ball, some horrible kicks and horrible handling, but it Ashbourne's handling that led to the next score. They dropped the ball in the middle of a backs move, Higgins picked up and sprinted upfield, and just as he was seeming to be caught, he shipped the ball to Kris Jakuba, supporting on the inside, he wasn't going to be denied, covering 40 metres or so to score under the post, with Higgins adding the extras.
He added a penalty soon afterwards , to take the score to a healthy 7 points to 27.

It was all looking good at this point, but Ashbourne had other ideas.

They managed to come back with 3 tries of their own, the second form a seemingly forward pass ( according to Casuals a huge throw forward)
Fortunately the last try, 3 minutes from the end of the game was not converted, and Casuals pinned Ashbourne back in their own half, tackling like men possessed, to see out time.

Casuals have to be grateful, that despite this being a re-arranged game, the players who turned up, put in a massive shift.
Casuals had a number of players unavailable, but fortunately the players who stepped up did Casuals proud.
The forwards once again had a superb game, dominating the lineout, and with several players giving their absolute all around the park, with Stu Williams to the fore.
Jon Ackroyd has to be worthy of a mention, who despite having veteran status, was as determined as ever not to let anyone past.
(Has a shiner to prove it)

TEAM
1. BARANIAK, STEVE
2. UNDERWOOD, PETER
3. GILL, RICHARD
4. FOX, MATTHEW
5. BARTON, JOE
7. BROWNLIE, ALEXANDER
6. JON ACKROYD
8. WILLIAMS, STUART

9. JAKUBA, KRISTIANAS
10. HIGGINS, MARK
11. NAYLOR, STEPHEN
12. HARRIS, ANDREW
13. HOWATSON, BRODIE
14. CAMMARATA, EMANUELE
15. O’CONNOR, DANIEL
SUBS
AMAURY, MONTARNAL (FR)
SMITH, DAN
BROWN, LEWIS

Please be advised that the 21st is the day of a pre-match lunch, so turn up to support the team, and have some nosebag.
Players past, supporters, no doubt many of you have had a "short" email inviting you to the event.
Your presence and support will be tremendously welcome.
1.45 please, for a 3 p.m. kick
Don't be late, you might miss the food.