Bakewell Mannerians 34 Casuals 21

Midlands 2 East North
3rd March 2012
BM 34 Casuals 21

(That's Nottingham or Nott'm Casuals , not Notts)

Lot closer than the final score suggests, as Bakewell profit from an excellent 1st half for them, and then withstand a fightback from Casuals.
Again, one defining moment turned it for Bakewell, just as Casuals looked as if they might grab the lead.
Another try from Joe Barton, (which actually made it a hat trick , 2 in the last game, one in this), one from Higgins, grabbing the glory, ought to award this one to the forwards, and an incredible individual effort from Steve Naylor.

The first few minutes of the game Bakewell attacks were incessant. They put together move after move, and it looked as if it was going to be hard afternoon for Casuals.
After 12 minutes Bakewell kicked a penalty to touch, and developed a move from the lineout to touch down. The kick then bounced off the post.
Bakewell continued to construct moves, but Casuals at least managed to take the ball up-field into Bakewell’s half. But again they were soon on the defensive as Bakewell ran the ball from a scrum, and quick hands combined with great support took the move through the centre for the next try on 18 minutes. This was converted.
It was Bakewell’s backing up in numbers and getting people to the breakdown that really was the key at this stage, and the quick re-cycling of the ball, getting it away from the breakdown and keeping it in play.
But Casuals still managed a really good attack, and when Ben Hallam went through it looked as if Casuals were going to score, but the ball was dropped right on the line.
Casuals then contrived to lose the ball at a lineout in Bakewell’s half, and a move was developed down the right, and just when a try looked on Hallam brought the ball carrier down, and the ball was spilled forward. Bakewell carried on with play, as the ref obviously was in position to see the offence, as he didn’t whistle. The ball was cross kicked to the left winger, and catching it in mid air he matched to just get over the line. That score was converted and things started to look ominous.

But play started to go Casuals way a bit, and on 35 minutes Casuals could have been playing against 14 men, but the offence by a Bakewell man was not deemed to be worth a card.
After losing possession in midfield Casuals managed to regain the ball, and as the ball was kicked ahead Dom Rollo-Walker caused some panic, from which a maul developed, and the forwards took the ball on to the line, only for Higgins to steal their glory, touching down to cap off their hard work.
He converted that to leave the score 22 – 7 at half time.

Casuals came out of the blocks at speed in the second half, and they very nearly got over , but again the ball was knocked on with the line at Casuals mercy.
A couple of scrums followed, Casuals forwards getting it together, and eventually Joe Barton picked up from the back of the maul, and his run took from right to left before bursting his way over wide out on the left. Higgins then belted one over form the touchline.
Steve Naylor was then unlucky when he just got bundled into touch aas he was steaming for the line.
It was the basic thing done well that eventually got Casuals working as a team.
The realisation that keeping possession of the ball, simple passing, not forcing it, or kicking away possession needlessly, started to sink in.
Casuals kept the pressure up, and scrum followed scrum, and penalty after penalty, but no joy for Casuals. With the pack working their socks off, they opted for scrums whenever Bakewell were penalised. (What does persistent infringement mean) Apparently Bakewell were warned.
After all of this Casuals contrived to mess up at a scrum in Bakewell’s half, when the ball shot out the back, and Bakewell were onto the loose ball in a shot, and somehow they managed to get to the line with a simple couple of passes, and the pressure was off at 27 – 14.
Casuals ironically then had a player yellow carded for a tip tackle, matter of opinion that, but Bakewell were able to exploit that when they went over for their last try.
Casuals had the last word when they brought play out of defence, and Naylor showed his strength and speed to run through, round, and eventually over defenders on a long run for the try touchdown.
Higgins again converted, but it was too late for Casuals to stage another comeback, and Bakewell took full points after a nail biting game.
Apart from two misdemeanours, this was generally a very clean game.
Look forward to the fixtures next season.

Even the 150 four legged woolly spectators enjoyed it. No wonder Hobson wasn’t allowed to travel. (I meant that if he had shouted there could have been a stampede, not what you lot might think, but there again!!)

Casuals players ought think how lucky they are though, what with a decent clubhouse, great playing surfaces, a floodlit training area, and a car park right next to the club and pitches, where they not only do not have to pay to park, they don't have to walk miles to the pitch from the changing rooms.

Bakewell must have some resolve to keep going with this set up.
Surely the council could help to improve their lot.
Come on Sport England, Bakewell need you.